Key Takeaways
- The Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Traders Association called at an April 9 press conference for a regulated framework instead of a ban on e-cigarettes.
- BENDSTA said 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey data released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on March 4 showed U.S. youth e-cigarette use falling to about 5.20%.
- The group also said overall tobacco use in the United States fell to 7.50%, while cigarette smoking was at a historic low.
- BENDSTA said 156 of 198 countries worldwide, or 78.80%, have allowed ENDS use under some form of legal framework.
- The association said countries that imposed full bans strengthened black markets and accelerated the spread of unregulated and higher-risk products.
2Firsts, April 10, 2026
According to the report, the Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Traders Association held a press conference on April 9 at a hotel in the capital under the title Global ENDS Policy Landscape: Evidence-Based Review and Strategic Direction, where it presented what it described as global data and policy developments related to tobacco harm reduction.
BENDSTA says regulated frameworks have delivered positive public health outcomes
BENDSTA said that the use of e-cigarette products under regulated policy frameworks has produced positive public health outcomes globally. The group said that, compared with prohibition, a regulated framework helped bring youth e-cigarette use in the United States down to about 5.20% in 2025.
Suman Zaman, president of BENDSTA, said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey data on March 4. According to the association’s presentation at the press conference, youth use of e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems in the United States fell to about 5.20% in 2025, the lowest level in the past decade. It also said overall tobacco use fell to 7.50% and cigarette smoking was at a historic low.
Industry group says many countries allow ENDS under legal frameworks
BENDSTA said that many users of ENDS or vaping products worldwide adopt them as a way to quit smoking or reduce harm. The group said such positive outcomes are being seen in countries that have not banned these products but instead brought them under regulated policy frameworks.
The association also said Bangladesh is now at an important policy juncture, with an opportunity to adopt a regulated framework through revised legislation instead of a prohibition model. Rezwan Ahmed, general secretary of BENDSTA, said a review of the tobacco control ordinance provides a timely opportunity to create such a framework while protecting public health and maintaining economic stability.
BENDSTA says 78.80% of countries allow ENDS under some legal framework
At the press conference, BENDSTA said international evidence-based research indicates that switching from combustible cigarettes to lower-risk alternatives may have positive public health effects. The group said that out of 198 countries worldwide, 156, or 78.80%, have allowed ENDS use under some type of legal framework.
BENDSTA also said that in countries where full prohibitions have been imposed, such policies have strengthened black markets and accelerated the spread of unregulated and higher-risk products.
Image source: Jagonews24
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