Top Takeaways:

• Bangladesh approved a Philip Morris project to produce nicotine pouches at the Meghna Industrial Economic Zone in Narayanganj.
• The plan calls for a US $5.82 million investment and an annual capacity of 536.3 million units, with production required to begin within one year.
• Anti-tobacco groups are urging the government to revoke the approval, citing national tobacco-control goals and earlier directives restricting new nicotine-product manufacturing.

Bangladesh has approved Philip Morris Bangladesh Limited to establish a nicotine pouch manufacturing plant at the Meghna Industrial Economic Zone in Narayanganj, marking one of the country’s first large-scale pouch projects.

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) confirmed the approval, which includes an initial investment of approximately US$5.82 million and a projected annual production capacity of 536.3 million units. Philip Morris must begin operations within one year of the approval being granted, according to BEZA.

The authorization occurs despite Bangladesh’s existing ban on importing e-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems. BEZA stated that nicotine pouches are not covered by that restriction and described them as “anti-nicotine” products, pointing out that current law does not ban domestic manufacturing or export.

According to reports in local media, the facility is meant to be entirely domestically focused.

The move has received opposition from public health groups and tobacco-control advocates, who say the approval conflicts with Bangladesh’s aim of a tobacco-free country by 2040.

Anti-nicotine groups have cited earlier directives from the Chief Advisor’s Office instructing investment authorities to halt licensing for new tobacco and nicotine-product ventures, claiming that the Philip Morris authorization breaches that order. Several organizations are calling for the approval to be revoked and for nicotine pouches to be explicitly added to the country’s list of restricted products.

The Meghna Industrial Economic Zone operator confirmed that Philip Morris has not yet started production and is still seeking environmental approval from the Department of Environment. Regulatory agencies are reviewing compliance requirements, including environmental impact and product classification questions.

Authorities have stated that production cannot start until the Department of Environment gives final approval.

Philip Morris has not publicly responded to the planned facility. The company’s expansion into nicotine pouches reflects broader global trends as major manufacturers increase investment in oral, smoke-free products marketed as alternatives to cigarettes in regulated markets.