Farida Akhter, Adviser to Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, has said that tobacco companies must not be allowed any role in amending the Tobacco Control Law, warning that their involvement would undermine public health and betray the people’s interest.
She urged the government to pass the proposed amendments without further delay and called on the youth to lead the fight against tobacco.
Speaking at a discussion, titled “Ensuring Public Health Protection by Passing the Proposed Amendments to the Tobacco Control Law Without Delay” held at CIRDAP auditorium and organized by Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP) on Wednesday, Farida Akhter made these remarks.
The event began with a welcome address from AHM Noman, founder and chief executive of DORP.
Zeba Afroza, the organisation’s project coordinator, presented the keynote paper, which outlined six major amendment proposals that align with World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Her presentation emphasized the need to strengthen regulations to better protect public health, particularly in areas such as smoking in public spaces, retail sales, marketing practices and health warnings on packaging.
Md Akhtaruzzaman, Director General of National Tobacco Control Cell, dismissed claims by tobacco companies that the proposed amendments would result in significant revenue losses for the government.
He pointed out that after the original Tobacco Control Law was enacted in 2005 and amended in 2013, government revenue from tobacco increased 12.5 times over 18 years, even as tobacco use declined by 18 percent between 2009 and 2017.
This, he said, clearly shows that stronger regulation does not harm government income.
Professor Dr. Golam Mohiuddin Faruq, President of Bangladesh Cancer Society, expressed serious concern over a July 13 decision by a review committee to include tobacco industry representatives in stakeholder consultations.
He argued that this move raises both legal and ethical concerns and directly violates Article 5.3 of FCTC, which warns against any collaboration with the tobacco industry due to the fundamental conflict between its interests and those of public health.
Former secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad echoed these concerns, citing remarks from Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who recently warned that the future of the next generation is at risk unless urgent action is taken to raise awareness and reduce tobacco use.
Al Azad insisted that no consultation should take place with tobacco companies and said that Ministry of Health is already working to ensure full compliance with Article 5.3 of FCTC, leaving no room for industry interference.
Youth advocates Ayesha Akhtar Shilpi and Niemur Rahman Emon also spoke at the event.
They called for the immediate passage of the proposed amendments and demanded that the government categorically exclude tobacco industry voices from the lawmaking process.
The event concluded with a strong consensus among speakers that the government must act now to protect public health by passing the proposed amendments without further delay and keeping the tobacco industry out of policymaking process.
SH
