Public Health on Top

Tobacco farming is not profitable rather allures to loss. The sufferers and associated stakeholders have gradually started comprehending the issue. The protest against tobacco farming aggression has started marching from the root level to the national. In beginning of the current tobacco farming season, agitated farmers have staged demonstration demanding alternative crop cultivation instead of tobacco. They also held a press conference in Dhaka with the same demands. Consequently, with the participation of policymakers, researchers, economists, civil society members, journalists and other concerned stakeholders, a Policy Dialogue has been held. The Dialogue has recommended formulating Policies with the provisions of preventing tobacco company interferences in expanding tobacco cultivation, the Policy’s implementation and also suggested few others steps.

Considering the demands from anti-tobacco platforms, mass media and the affected, the relevant State departments have now been playing quite active role against the illegal activities by the tobacco companies. Recently the Lalmonirhat Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has formed a probe committee with the allegation of forcible cigarette sale to the farmers during fertilizer collection from a tobacco company. The investigation report has already been submitted proving authenticity of the allegation. On the other side, governmental support in death-marketing of the tobacco company is going on. Recently the ICSB has awarded gold medal to BATB. The government did not take any moves to stop ‘Battle of Minds 2014’. By the same way, tobacco advertisements are going on across the country including at the point of sales.

Let us assist in formulations and implementation of the tobacco control act by unveiling the masks of the tobacco companies. Let us contribute on public health protection.