Staff Reporter :
Public health advocates have urged the government to implement the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) of World Health Organisation and immediately pass the amended Tobacco Control Act crucial to protect public health.
They have expressed alarm after the Ministry of Health decided to consult tobacco companies while reviewing proposed amendments to the Smoking and Tobacco Use (Control) Ordinance, 2024, an action that directly violates Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
They made these remarks during a view exchange meeting with journalists organised by the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission at its auditorium in the capital on Wednesday.
According to the Tobacco Atlas 2021, tobacco use claims 130,135 lives every year in Bangladesh, while globally more than one million people die from direct tobacco use and another 1.6 million from exposure to second-hand smoke. Tobacco is linked to several major diseases and remains one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide.
The FCTC, adopted in 2003 as the first international public health treaty under the WHO, aims to curb tobacco use and shield current and future generations from its devastating health, environmental, and economic impacts. Bangladesh was the first country to sign the FCTC in 2003 and ratified it in 2004. Since then, it has passed several laws and amendments, including the Tobacco Control Act (2005), amendments in 2013, and regulatory changes in 2006 and 2015.
However, the Health Ministry’s recent move to involve tobacco companies in shaping amendments to the law contradicts the core principle of FCTC Article 5.3, which mandates governments to “protect public health policies from interference by commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.”
“Tobacco companies consistently attempt to infiltrate policymaking through lobbying, misinformation, and corporate social responsibility campaigns.
Their interests are fundamentally irreconcilable with public health,” said health advocates.
While the steps taken by the Bangladesh government to further strengthen the Tobacco Control Act are undoubtedly commendable, the decision to take the views of tobacco companies in the latest advisory committee meeting is extremely disappointing.
The views of tobacco traders, who kill people prematurely due to tobacco which according to the World Health Organization causes about 442 deaths every day in Bangladesh, are in no way acceptable in policies aimed at protecting public health.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Shahidul Alam, Executive Committee Member of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, stressed that full implementation of the FCTC and immediate enforcement of the amended Tobacco Control Act are indispensible for the protection of the public health as both smokers and non-smokers are being affected by various diseases including non-communicable disease.
He demanded that no meetings be held with tobacco companies under any circumstances and called on the government to pass the final draft of the Tobacco Control Act in the form of an ordinance as soon as possible.
Hasan Hafiz, President of the Jatiya Press Club, said tobacco control must be incorporated into the election manifestos of all political parties, and they should be held accountable for their commitments.
He added that the government should be pressured to stop collecting revenue from tobacco and gradually reduce its dependence on it.
MM Badsha, General Secretary of the Crime Reporters Association, noted that strong political decisions are essential to curb and eventually eliminate tobacco consumption.
Dr. Saiyad Mahfuzul Haque, Public Health Expert, presented the keynote paper, highlighting Article 5.3 and other provisions of the FCTC, urging the government to take firm actions to reduce tobacco use.
The event was presided over by Dr. Muhammad Khalilullah, Vice-President of DAM, with an opening speech by Iqbal Madud, Director of Health and WASH. Also present were Rashed Rabbi, President of the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum and DAM Executive Committee Member Md Abu Masud.
