Protesters on Thursday urged the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to immediately revoke its approval for establishing a factory to produce nicotine pouches, terming the move a grave threat to public health and a clear violation of court directives.

The demand came from a demonstration titled ‘Cancel the Approval for the Disease-Causing ‘Nicotine Pouch’ Factory’ held in front of BEZA’s head office on the main road in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The protest was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) and Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates (BTCA).

Speakers at the rally said BEZA’s decision to allow multinational company Philip Morris to produce nicotine pouches contradicts both national health policies and a High Court directive that prohibits the establishment of new tobacco factories in the country.

They warned that nicotine pouches are highly addictive and harmful to human health citing warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO).

They also noted that at least 34 countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, and France have already banned the product.

“Nicotine pouches are not a safe alternative to smoking. Replacing one form of addiction with another cannot be considered a public health solution,” said one of the speakers.

The speakers referred to studies showing that nicotine pouches can damage the mouth, gums, lungs, liver, and kidneys, increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, and adversely affect adolescent brain development.

They further recalled that the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in 2016 ruled that no new tobacco factories should be permitted in Bangladesh, and existing ones should be converted into other industries.

Terming BEZA’s decision “a violation of constitutional obligations and the Supreme Court’s directive,the protesters said the move goes against Article 18(1) of the Constitution, which mandates the State to ensure public health and welfare.

Representatives from BATA and BTCA later submitted a memorandum to BEZA’s Executive Chairman, demanding the immediate cancellation of the factory approval, accountability for those involved in breaching legal and constitutional provisions, and a strict prohibition on future approvals for harmful products.

They also called upon BEZA to play an active role in achieving a tobacco-free Bangladesh.