Public Health on Top

Aiming to bloom death marketing, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) - to share information mutually for research and development purposes, has been signed between Dhaka Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International (JTI). It is clear that the JTI will work hard now to market its cigarette brands like Winston, Camel etc. in Bangladesh. Bending on the collective pressure of the anti-tobacco platforms, Philip Morris International (PMI) although had to roll up its ‘Rock City’ concert in November 2014, it has declared to run the concert again in April next. When the issue got enough media attention, PMI removes its name as a sponsor to dodge the legal bindings. However, they are not going to stop tricky cigarette marketing process and concert sponsorship. Recently, a television hero was seen advertising for Marlboro on a drama by wearing a jacket inscribed with the words – Marlboro. Besides, the company is also distributing different stylish lighters for brand promotion. Dhaka Tobacco is running a countrywide campaign with the name – ‘Something Truly American is Coming’. Besides, to store tobacco leaves, the tobacco companies are shockingly inspiring child labour in tobacco production process. They are encouraging in building tobacco furnaces here and there particularly in the tobacco farming prone localities of the country ignoring the environmental and public health damages. On the other side, for a positive image of tobacco industry, they are staging different events (after their sponsorship) where they are receiving awards and highlighting the award giving ceremonies on mass media. On the eve of Women’s Day in 2015, BATB has received ‘The Most Female-Friendly Award’ and has publicized the event. To prevent the anti-public health activities by tobacco companies, we all are to work together.