Public Health on Top

Foundation for A Smoke-Free World (FSFW), a Philip Morris International (PMI) funded group has managed to strike a deal with BRAC and channel some of its 'dollars of ash' to the world's largest non-government organisation. It arises a matter of concern because at the same time, BRAC was implementing a tobacco taxation related project, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. In the 2017 Annual Report of BRAC holds the logo of FSFW as its Research and Learning partner.

The FSFW is, in reality, nothing but a business promoter of PMI, disguised as an anti-tobacco organization, that works to expand the horizons of donor's death trade. On the other hand, BRAC has been working in a number of health sector projects mainly dedicated to eradicating health poverty of the grass-root level people of the country. The organisation is also deeply involved in a lot of development activities of the government. The new collaboration between such a prestigious organisation and the anti public health Foundation has frustrated the anti-tobacco activists to a great extent. As the world's number one NGO, BRAC can adopt the Due Diligence and Partnership Policy, a policy developed by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and repudiate any partnership with tobacco companies and their front groups.

A good number of governments in the world including India, Vietnam and Poland have decided not to get involved in the controversial activities of the Foundation. The anti-tobacco organisations of Bangladesh have already sent official letters to National Tobacco Control Cell urging it to deliver necessary directives to government and non-government organisations not to take any grant or fund or not to get involved with this Foundation in any way. A coordinated effort is necessary in this regard.

On the other hand, the 2019-20 national budget has been formulated giving tobacco companies enough opportunity to increase their earnings. To prevent any further taxation on tobacco products, the companies staged organized media campaign, protests, mass gatherings, used tax lobbyists and Members of the Parliament (MPs). As a result of their relentless efforts, the price per stick of low-tier cigarettes increased by only 20 paisa and the price of per stick bidi by only 6 paisa. Moreover, cigarette companies can up their incomes even by 31 percent on different price slabs. The elimination of export duty and provision of input credit can also contribute significantly to tobacco companies' profit. The government needs to stop allowing tobacco companies such self-destructive facilities at its own expense. Otherwise, the Tobacco-free Bangladesh will remain wishful thinking.