Social and Cultural Affairs Committee Deliberates on Proposed Amendments to Tobacco Control Act
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The meeting was attended by officials from the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA), the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), and the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP). Members of the Committee reviewed the existing provisions of the Act and discussed measures to further strengthen tobacco control in the country.
During the session, the Chief Program Officer of BFDA’s Controlled Substances and Medical Device Division presented key gaps in the current legislation. These included challenges in preventing the sale of tobacco products to minors and regulating emerging products such as e-cigarettes, vapes, flavoured tobacco, and synthetic nicotine. He also highlighted the limited provisions related to product quality control, additives, and nicotine levels.
Recent survey findings indicating a rise in the use of vaping products among young people were shared, underscoring the urgency to update the Act. Discussions further addressed the growing availability of vapes and other emerging tobacco products, as well as concerns regarding the entry of substandard tobacco products into the market.
The Committee also deliberated on enforcement challenges, the need to review penalties, strengthen cessation and treatment measures, and ensure continued compliance with Bhutan’s obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
The deliberations marked an important step towards modernizing the Tobacco Control Act to effectively respond to evolving tobacco use patterns and safeguard public health.
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