Jumbangla Desk: The Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance has demanded to ban the import of e-cigarettes for the protection of the country's young generation.

In a statement sent to the media by the anti-tobacco coalition on Thursday (October 17), it is hoped that the interim government will take quick action in this regard, taking into account the overall situation in improving public health.

According to the statement, while efforts to reduce tobacco use in the country continue, the new risk in this field is electronic nicotine delivery systems or e-cigarettes. The use of this harmful product is increasing at an alarming rate among teenagers and young adults in schools and colleges.

32 countries around the world have already banned the sale of e-cigarettes. It needs to be banned in Bangladesh as well with public health priority.

According to the statement, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has already proposed to ban the import of e-cigarettes which are harmful to public health. But tactfully tobacco companies are trying to expand the market for e-cigarettes as an alternative to cigarettes by promoting it as a symbol of modernity .

In the present context, the import policy of the Ministry of Commerce prohibits the import of e-cigarettes and related products and requires the withdrawal of the HS code of these products from the list of products of the National Board of Revenue.
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The statement added that e-cigarettes are addictive. Although promoted as an alternative to tobacco or a way to quit smoking, in reality, e-cigarettes are a new form of addiction. In fact, this product causes long-term damage to the lungs, heart and nervous system.

Currently, the number of e-cigarette users is less than 2 percent, but its addiction and popularity among teenagers and young adults is growing rapidly. Public health experts feel that the government has to plan, spend a lot of time and money to control multi-dimensional harmful products like tobacco in the country. In such a situation, if there is an opportunity to expand the market of another harmful product in the country, public health will be at serious risk. In the future, there will be additional pressure on the health and economy of the country. Therefore, it is necessary to take swift and strict action in the matter.

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