BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: The emergence of e-cigarettes in Bangladesh presented a considerable public health challenge, especially among the nation’s 65 million adolescents and young individuals. According to GATS 2017, a mere 0.2% of e-cigarette use, this figure has dramatically increased lately due to vigorous marketing, vape expos, social media promotions, and the availability of e-cigarettes close to educational institutions. Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC) of Dhaka International University (DIU) unveiled this growing threat through research conducted in 2016-17, revealed HS Code imports, and initiated advocacy, led action to ban e-cigarettes. However, challenges included misinformation campaigns by e-cigarette traders, online harassment, hacking attempts, and lobbying efforts by the tobacco industry to prevent regulatory action.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Creating public pressure and exposing tobacco industry deception, TCRC raises awareness by mobilizing 5,000 DIU students for youth campaigns, conducting seminars, demonstrations, policy-advocacy, and sports tournaments. TCRC submitted Memorandums to Prime Minister, Chief Adviser, and Advisers demanding banning e-cigarettes. TCRC organized direct meetings with Parliament Members (MPs), Ministers, Advisers, and government high officials for banning e-cigarettes, and provided evidence-based research, 800+ letters, policy-brief, fact-sheets, newspaper articles. Besides, TCRC’s president (former MP), secured 152 MPs' signatures, urging Prime Minister and Health Minister to take action against e-cigarettes. Additionally, along-with 50 anti-tobacco organizations, TCRC led rallies, human chains, and media campaigns to counter both industry and traders’ tactics and misinformation.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: These advocacy efforts successfully influenced Bangladesh government to ban the import of e-cigarettes on January 1, 2025, through an SRO. Public awareness among youth significantly increased, creating strong grassroots pressure.
CONCLUSIONS: TCRC’s pioneering efforts highlight the power of evidence-based advocacy and youth mobilization in shaping public health policies. Bangladesh’s success in banning e-cigarette imports provides a model for other countries facing similar challenges. Future efforts will focus on ensuring law enforcement and closing loopholes to prevent illicit sales.