Public Health on Top

Despite the frequent urges from the anti-tobacco platforms on formulating and implementing of Rules of the amended tobacco control law, the respective authority still seems unaware of the issue. Anti-tobacco organizations, mass media activists, politicians, MPs and even the Health Ministry are also sensing that the Law Ministry illogically is lengthening the process. Tobacco companies are the key activists in this procrastination. After having passed of the amended TCA at the Parliament, a substantial number of programmes including meetings, seminars, human chain, mass media campaigns have been conducted over the facts that implementation of the pictorial warning on tobacco products’ packets is how beneficial for health, financial condition and other aspects of tobacco control. Besides, a large number of discussions and campaigns have also been conducted over the issues related with the Rules for the amended tobacco control law, but none of those were rewarding. Moreover, by the time, the draft Rules - for the TC law, is being customized to serve the tobacco companies in the name of ‘vetting’. When contacted by the Health Ministry and asked to return the draft, Law Ministry has long been replying the phrase that the draft will be sent within one week. Apparently the tobacco companies are causing the procrastination. Therefore, for tobacco makers’ interference free Rules and implementation of the Rules, everyone related to tobacco control in the country should vigorously work together. Simultaneously, the detrimental effects of so called CSR and other social activities – which are creating a shadow for them to reach the government and hamper the public health, economy, environment and ecology, should be frequently highlighted on media as the land and public health is on top.