Speakers at a views exchange meeting have said that as per the Article 16 (1) of the country’s constitution, the state has the responsibility to develop and protect public health.
They said that the government should take strict measures to control the tobacco use in Bangladesh in the interest of public health. The government, however, has taken various initiatives to control the tobacco use in the country. Now formulation of a code of conduct in light of the FCTC is a must to protect tobacco control laws and policies, they added.
Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA) and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust jointly arranged the views exchange meeting on ‘Responsibilities to Protect Tobacco Control Laws and Polices’ at BMA Bhaban in the capital on Monday (April 18).
Gaus Piary, director at WBB Trust; presided over the event and Syeda Anonna Rahman, head at Department of Health Rights of the WBB Trust, moderated it, while Mithun Vaidya, project officer at WBB Trust, presented the keynote address.
Hossain Ali Khandaker, coordinator (additional secretary) of National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC); Md. Billal Hossain Khan of the National River Conservation Commission; Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, technical adviser at The Union; Helal Ahmed, acting coordinator of BATA; Sushant Sinha, senior reporter at Ekattar Television; Md Nasir Uddin Sheikh, country manager of Vital Strategies; Abu Naser Anik, project officer at Aid Foundation; Moazzem Hossain Tipu, program officer at DAS; Dr AFM Sarwar, former vice principal at Dhaka Dental College; also spoke on the occasion, among others.
The speakers said that it is a matter of great concern in the current context that although the government has taken positive steps to control tobacco, the illegal intervention of tobacco companies is hampering the implementation of laws and formulating supportive policies as well as posing a serious risk to the public health.
Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin said the tobacco companies are misleading high-ranking government officials with misinformation in order to protect their own interest and take advantage of the situation unjustly. A code of conduct should be formulated to resolve the problem. The tobacco companies’ discussions with the government should be made, he added.
Hossain Ali Khandaker said that tobacco companies are trying to mislead government officials into engaging in tobacco campaigns. In this situation, it is necessary to have a specific policy. “We need to move forward with more tactics for controlling tobacco. We have a moral obligation to formulate guideline as per FCTC’s Article 5.3. The government is taking steps to implement that goal,” he added.
Md Billal Hossain said that the cost of treatment of diseases caused by tobacco use is much higher than the revenue earned from tobacco products. The Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 needs to be properly implemented.
Nasir Uddin Sheikh said that the licensing system needs to be ensured and strengthened to control tobacco use in Bangladesh.
Gaus Piary said, “The purpose of the tobacco company is to make a profit. On the other hand, the government and our objective is to improve public health. We need to build a strong movement against tobacco companies who produce products that are harmful to public health. The National Tobacco Control Cell should be stronger and the non-governmental organizations need to work in collaboration with the government.”
Helal Ahmed said that the tobacco companies are carrying out various campaigns centering the upcoming budget. Individuals from many important organisations are also working for the interest of tobacco companies. Now is the time to make a list of those who are working for and against tobacco and to take necessary action against them.
Sushant Sinha said that despite having less than 10 per cent stake, the board of directors of the British American Tobacco Company (BATB) has a number of high-ranking government officials. It is hampering the government’s overall tobacco control efforts.
