Public Health on Top

Death-marketer BATB has been awarded again. The Ministry of Industry has recently awarded ‘National Productivity and Quality Excellence Award’ to the BATB on large Industry category for its contribution on industry sector of the country which has raised eyebrows on the issue of controlling tobacco use in the country by the government and simultaneously it has smoothened death-marketing aggression of the BATB. As part of its market expansion, recently the BATB has launched Benson & Hedges small pack containing 12 cigarette sticks. The sellers are inspired to sell the small packets more as it brings more profit for them comparing the 20-stick packets. The consumers are also getting attracted with the ‘Smart Pack’ of 12 cigarettes. In the name of forestation, it has distributed the eco-unfriendly and fastest growing Epil Epil plants using the government employees. In fact the forestation programmes are arranged to show off and make a provision in fueling tobacco leaves baking. Besides, the company is now evading tax by selling different brand cigarettes (printed before budget) in current market price. As a result, the government is losing revenues worth millions. Awarding the BATB instead of punishing is truly a bad omen for the tobacco control.