SUB seminar highlights public health threat from nicotine pouches

A special seminar titled "Nicotine Pouch: A New Form of Tobacco Use – A Serious Public Health Crisis" was held on Monday, 3 November 2025, at the State University of Bangladesh (SUB).

Aminul Islam Sujon, Technical Advisor at Vital Strategies and Moderator of STOP Tobacco Bangladesh, delivered the keynote presentation, highlighting the growing threat of nicotine pouches as a new form of tobacco use in Bangladesh.

He warned that allowing multinational companies like Philip Morris to produce such products poses "a grave danger to public health," adding that the marketing of nicotine pouches to youth and non-smokers amid a lack of regulation is worsening the crisis. He urged the government to immediately stop production and sales of the product and called on public health professionals to advocate stronger tobacco control.

Professor Dr Md Akhtar Hossain Khan, Vice-Chancellor of SUB, attended the event as Chief Guest, while Professor Dr Nawzia Yasmin, Pro-Vice Chancellor, was Special Guest, and Brigadier General (retd) Dr Mohammad Afzalur Rahman, Principal of the State College of Health Sciences, was Honoured Guest.

Dr Akhtar Hossain reaffirmed the university's commitment to building a tobacco-free nation and encouraged students to raise awareness against new tobacco products. Dr Nawzia Yasmin urged students to act as "change makers" in protecting public health, while Dr Afzalur Rahman stressed collective efforts to address emerging health challenges.

The seminar was organised by the Department of Public Health and chaired by its Chairman, Professor Dr Md Anwar Hossain. It was conducted by Ms Tasfia Nahian Hafiz, Lecturer, Department of Journalism, Communication, and Media Studies, and coordinated by Md Allama Faisal, Lecturer and Coordinator, Department of Public Health.

Following the seminar, SUB faculty and students formed a human chain protesting the government's decision to permit production and marketing of nicotine pouches.