Tobacco cos dilly-dallying to follow HC directives

Though based on the High Court verdict, the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) issued a public notice to print Graphic Health Warning (GHW) covering 50 percent upper portion, the continuous interference from the tobacco companies the initiative is almost falling apart. Recently, with the instigation of tobacco companies, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a letter to the MoHFW to postpone the GHW implementation for one year which is a matter of great concern for the anti-tobacco activists. In last year the tobacco companies induced NBR to work for its favor with an excuse of revenue loss and the similar possibilities are happening now too. The NBR wants to extend one year to the tobacco companies with the excuse of importing stamp/ band roll printing machine. But about two and a half years have already been passed after the passing of the tobacco control law Rules. Prior to that, Bangladesh Cigarette Manufacturers’ Association (BCMA) opposed the NTCC public notice on GHW implementation and had sent letter to the NBR to continue printing the GHW on lower 50 percent of tobacco packets. Based on the fact, a meeting was arranged on August 10, 2017 with the participation of cigarette companies, Law Ministry, Health Ministry, and NTCC representative. The Health Ministry and NTCC pointed out the legal bindings of lawful GHW implementation and also told that there were no chances to annul the public notice or review the GHW issue following the HC verdict. Further, a closed-door meeting, with the participations of cigarette company owner and Managing Directors (MDs), has already been held at the Finance Ministry while the Minister was in the chair. The meeting was participated by Minister for Commerce, NBR Chairman and other high government officials. Remarkably, considering the detrimental impacts of tobacco use, Honorable Prime Minister has pledged to make Bangladesh smoke-free before 2040. Tobacco will grab the young generation unless the GHW is implemented after the law directives on the tobacco packets.