Public Health on Top

Tobacco farming season is on. Tobacco companies are expanding the farming by offering different incentives. And thus resulting in negative impacts on food security and environment. Tobacco companies are facilitating the tobacco farming after years on the food croplands by channeling the government subsidized fertilizers, irrigation, electricity, agro loan/ capital and many more facilities. Forests are cut down in the hilly areas for tobacco leaf processing which is casting an adverse impact on environment and ecology. The rate of landslide is on the rise. To battle the crises, the tobacco farming control policy – under Section 12 of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act 2013- should be formulated and implemented within the shortest possible time.
Interferences from tobacco companies are going on to expand their business and influence the policymakers. British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) has decorated the IBA Alumni Club resembling their cigarette brand using the opportunity of their corporate entity. Many of the policymakers from the government, corporate entities and influential business groups are members of this club. And such promotions are clear violations of the tobacco control law.
Such activities from tobacco companies should be stopped by formulating and implementing necessary laws.