Dhaka, Oct. 21 -- PROGGA: Knowledge for Progress and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) have expressed serious concern over Philip Morris's move to establish a nicotine pouch manufacturing factory in Bangladesh, which they say "violates" a directive from the Chief Advisor's Office (CAO).

In a media statement on Tuesday, the two organisations said the initiative goes against the government's ongoing efforts to protect public health.

It read that in May 2025, the CAO prohibited the establishment of any factory producing e-cigarettes, Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) devices, or related products in Bangladesh.

The statement added that earlier, on Jan 1, the Ministry of Commerce banned the import of all e-cigarettes and ENDS-rela...