Anti-tobacco groups PROGGA and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) on Tuesday urged the government to ban nicotine pouches, expressing concern over a Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) move to formulate national standards for the product.

In a joint statement, the organizations said BSTI had formed a Tobacco and Tobacco Products Technical Committee that includes representatives of tobacco companies but excludes the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) and tobacco control organizations.

They alleged the inclusion of tobacco industry representatives violates Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which seeks to protect public health policies from tobacco industry influence.

PROGGA and ATMA said nicotine pouches pose a public health risk despite being marketed as less harmful alternatives. Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), they said the products contain high levels of nicotine, which can impair brain development in children and adolescents and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health complications.

The groups said at least 16 countries, including Singapore, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Russia, have already banned nicotine pouches.

PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair said the Health Ministry had previously proposed banning nicotine pouches, but the measure was not included in the amended tobacco control law.

"Efforts are now under way to introduce and market the product in Bangladesh. Bangladesh should follow the example of other countries and impose a complete ban on nicotine pouches," he said.

The organizations also said BSTI's initiative contradicts Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's stated commitment to protecting children and adolescents from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine.

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