Bangladesh’s proposed SNP ban sparks outcry over foreign influence and lack of transparency
![Vaping devices and oral nicotine products could be banned in Bangladesh. [Photo by Luis Ruiz from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-assorted-cigars-with-rich-textures-31009957/]](http://ourdailynewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/pexels-luis-ruiz-31009957-scaled.jpg)
A controversial proposal by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health to ban all safer nicotine products (SNPs)—including vaping devices and oral alternatives—has sparked criticism for its lack of transparency and foreign influence. The move is being pushed under an interim government without any public consultation, raising alarms among public health experts and harm reduction advocates.
Citing WHO rules to silence local voices
The Ministry is reportedly invoking Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to justify the exclusion of consumers, independent scientists, and harm reduction advocates from the policymaking process. According to the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA), this misapplication of WHO guidance is being used to suppress dissent and silence scientific discourse.
“This is not tobacco control. This is policy outsourcing,” said Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA. “Bangladesh risks allowing foreign-funded NGOs to override its own democratic institutions and deny its citizens access to proven harm reduction tools.”
Bloomberg-funded networks shaping Bangladesh’s policy
The proposal is seen as being heavily influenced by foreign actors, particularly Bloomberg Philanthropies and its main grantee, the U.S.-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK). Since 2008, Bloomberg Philanthropies has funneled more than US$232 million to CTFK, funding anti-nicotine campaigns globally. These funds are used to support NGOs, train bureaucrats, and embed advisors within health ministries—allowing external influence to steer domestic policy.
In Bangladesh, Bloomberg partner Vital Strategies operates a Dhaka office staffed with former government officials. Meanwhile, CTFK and its affiliates are official partners of the Ministry’s National Tobacco Control Cell, giving them direct access to policymaking channels.
Ignoring regional trends and global evidence
This move runs counter to regional trends. Similar foreign-influenced proposals have been rejected in Pakistan and the Philippines, where governments chose to follow evidence-based public health models rather than foreign-funded pressure.
Other countries that have banned SNPs, like India and Australia, are now grappling with the unintended consequences—proliferating black markets and unregulated products that jeopardize public health. Given that Bangladesh suffers from one of the highest rates of tobacco-related illnesses in the world, experts argue that the country stands to benefit from a regulated harm reduction approach rather than punitive bans.
Global studies confirm that SNPs are significantly less harmful than combustible tobacco and are effective tools in helping smokers quit. A sweeping ban, critics warn, would push users toward unsafe alternatives and stall progress in reducing tobacco-related harm.