Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates (BTCA) on Sunday expressed deep concern and strong protest over the approval granted by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to Philip Morris Bangladesh Limited for setting up a nicotine pouch production facility.

In a statement, BTCA said BEZA approved the project on April 27 this year, allowing the global tobacco company to produce nicotine pouches — a smokeless and highly addictive product that poses serious health risks.

The statement, signed by BTCA Convener Iqbal Masud and members Advocate Mahbubul Alam Tahin, Aminul Islam Sujon, Susanta Sinha, Syeda Anannya Rahman, Farhana Zaman Liza, Samiul Hasan Sajib, and Abu Raihan, said nicotine pouches are used by placing them inside the mouth, from where nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream. Though promoted as a safer alternative to vaping, the product contains high levels of nicotine and can lead to addiction and severe health complications.

BTCA pointed out that at least 34 countries — including Belgium, Russia, Uzbekistan, and France — have already banned or tightly regulated nicotine pouches.

It said approving their production in Bangladesh contradicts ongoing efforts to amend the tobacco control law and the government’s commitment to curb non-communicable diseases.

The organization also cited a Supreme Court directive that prohibits approval of any new tobacco or tobacco-related manufacturing companies, urging instead the promotion of non-tobacco alternatives. BTCA said BEZA’s decision clearly violates this ruling and undermines national tobacco control goals.

Terming the move a “policy, ethical and legal misstep,” BTCA demanded immediate cancellation of the project approval and accountability of those responsible. It also urged the government to ban all nicotine-based products — including pouches — to protect public health and move toward a tobacco-free Bangladesh.