, Nov. 6 -- Protesters on Thursday urged the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to immediately revoke its approval for establishing a factory to produce nicotine pouches, terming the move a grave threat to public health and a clear violation of court directives.

The demand came from a demonstration titled 'Cancel the Approval for the Disease-Causing 'Nicotine Pouch' Factory' held in front of BEZA's head office on the main road in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The protest was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) and Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates (BTCA).

Speakers at the rally said BEZA's decision to allow multinational company Philip Morris to produce nicotine pouches contradicts both national health policie...