On September 5, according to foreign reports, several experts said on Thursday that if e-cigarettes are banned, Bangladesh's goal of becoming a smoke-free country by 2040 will be hindered.

They were speaking at a webinar "Save Vaping, Save Bangladesh" organized by Vape in Bangladesh.

Experts discussed recent proposals to ban e-cigarettes and other alternative and heat-not-burn tobacco products in new amendments to the country's tobacco control legislation.

Dr. Deron Herman, president of health diplomats and harm reduction expert, said there is no evidence that the National Tobacco Control Panel claims that the nicotine in e-cigarettes is more harmful than cigarettes.

He added: "There needs to be a credible harm reduction strategy adopted by many developed countries. Authorities must consider regulating a safer alternative, such as e-cigarettes, and making it accessible to smokers who want to quit.

Schumann Zaman, president of the Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA), said that not recognizing e-cigarette traders and e-cigarette users as stakeholders would have significant consequences, as many of these e-cigarette users are using e-cigarettes as a Smoking cessation tool.

John Dunn, director-general of the British Vaping Industry Association, said e-cigarettes should be regulated separately because e-cigarettes and cigarettes are different products.

“In fact, e-cigarettes are safer and a proven form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Regulating e-cigarettes will help smokers who are trying to quit using e-cigarettes,” he added.

"Countries such as the UK, France, New Zealand and Canada have successfully reduced smoking rates by using e-cigarettes as NRT. Banning e-cigarettes will reduce the number of smokers trying to quit."