The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking why the approval granted to Philip Morris Bangladesh for setting up a nicotine-pouch manufacturing factory should not be declared illegal.
The rule was issued by a High Court bench comprising Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi and Justice Raziuddin Ahmed.
The court directed the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the Ministry of Health and Philip Morris Bangladesh to respond within ten days.
The public-interest writ petition was filed by Sayere Nazabi Sayem, Advocate Sajidul Islam and Mahir Chowdhury. Barrister Asif Bin Anwar represented the petitioners during the hearing.
According to the writ, BEZA on 27 April 2025 approved the establishment of a nicotine-pouch manufacturing plant in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, allowing Philip Morris Bangladesh to produce pouches solely for domestic sale rather than export.
The petitioners told the court that nicotine pouches are tobacco-based products and pose a serious health risk to young people, prompting concerns from various social and cultural organisations.
They said the approval contradicts an earlier Appellate Division directive and existing government policy relating to tobacco control.
“In 2016, the Appellate Division issued six directives to reduce tobacco use, including a specific instruction not to approve any new tobacco company or tobacco-product manufacturing facility,” Barrister Asif Bin Anwar, told TIMES of Bangladesh.
He said the approval stands in clear conflict with that judgment and added that several government bodies, including the Ministry of Health, have already sent letters recommending cancellation.
The petition noted that the Appellate Division’s instructions also required existing tobacco companies to transition gradually into other industries.
The constitution places responsibility on the state to prevent the production of substances harmful to public health.
Following the rule, the court will set a date for the next hearing after receiving responses from the authorities concerned.
