Dhaka, Oct. 3 -- Secretary for health education to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Shaikh Yusuf Harun made the comment at a briefing on Thursday.

Citing the mounting evidence of health risks associated to e-cigarettes worldwide, he said production, import and sale of all emerging tobaccos including e-cigarettes must be banned as soon as possible.

"We'll discuss this with the top authorities," he said.

Vandana Shah, regional director of US-based Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids' South Asia Programme, who was also at the briefing, highlighted the growing evidence of harmful effects of emerging tobacco products.

Recently India has banned e-cigarette after flagging it as a health risk.

The secretary said over 30 countries includi...