, Jan. 1 -- cigarettes, vapes and other emerging tobacco products have been completely banned in Bangladesh as the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use Control (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 has come into effect with provisions for jail terms and hefty fines for violations.

The ordinance, proposed by the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to strengthen the existing Smoking and Tobacco Products Use Control Act, 2005, came into effect on December 30 following approval by the President, said the Chief Adviser's press wing on Thursday.

Under the new law, the production, import, export, storage, sale and use of e-cigarettes and emerging tobacco products have been declared punishable offences.

Violators may fac...