BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Bangladesh, with a youth population of approximately 65 million, has faced a growing challenge from the rising prevalence of e-cigarette use. While the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (Bangladesh)-2017 reported a low e-cigarette usage rate of 0.2%, this number has surged over the past seven years. Cunning e-cigarette traders have exploited young people through social media campaigns, vape fairs, and proximity to educational institutions, increasing the risk of widespread addiction. Pratyasha Anti-Drug Club, a prominent voluntary organization, along with the Tobacco Control and Research Cell (TCRC) and Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA), spearheaded efforts to counteract this threat through youth engagement, awareness campaigns, and advocacy.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Pratyasha initiated a series of impactful activities, including school campaigns, youth seminars, and public events like the "Youths Against E-Cigarette Football Tournament, signature campaign, social media campaign, cycle rally, and skating rally. Memorandums were submitted to policymakers, and sit-ins and leaflet distributions were organized, notably at the Ekushey Book Fair. These programs galvanized public awareness and created pressure on the government to act. Despite resistance from e-cigarette traders promoting these products as harm-reduction tools, persistent advocacy prevailed.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: The advocacy initiatives led to heightened awareness among students regarding the health hazards of e-cigarettes. Notably, on January 1, 2025, the Bangladesh government prohibited e-cigarette imports by including them in the banned import list through an SRO, marking a significant milestone in tobacco control.
CONCLUSIONS: Pratyasha's youth-focused initiatives demonstrate the power of grassroots advocacy in combating emerging tobacco threats. These strategies can serve as a model for other regions seeking to address e-cigarette challenges through public engagement and policy advocacy.