Public Health on Top

Even at this moment of grave crisis as coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc on people’s lives and livelihood, tobacco industry can be seen ramping up their efforts of exacting as much benefit it can get from the authorities. With an exception of a very few essential goods and services, the government has already ordered the closure of all public and private offices to help prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. Even the RMG factories of Bangladesh, the major lifeblood of the country’s export basket, ordered workers to stay home in line with the govt. measure. However, two multinational tobacco companies have managed to get the govt. issue an order (special) for them, which allows those companies to continue ‘manufacturing, leaf purchase, finished goods supply and distribution’ despite the shutdown. As a well-known strategy to influence the govt., these companies have donated few Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and publicized such donations heavily on the media. Bidi companies are also trying to exact similar benefits from the govt through its coordinated media campaign. When the whole world is battling the worsening pandemic situation, tobacco industry is working hard to exacerbate the crisis only to keep its stream of ‘endless’ profit unscathed. Unfortunately, the government Is lending a helping hand to the industry in its ill moves. The very recent directives from Ministry of Industries (MoInd) providing BATB and JTI exemption from COVID-19 general holiday will only worsen the situation and put even more pressure on our vulnerable healthcare system.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco users are more vulnerable to coronavirus infection. Tobacco users who get infected with coronavirus often need artificial ventilation systems that are scarce in our hospitals. In Bangladesh, 37.8 million adults use tobacco and 41 million people fall victim to second-hand smoke in their own homes. This huge portion of our population, victims of direct or indirect tobacco use, are currently at grave risk of severe coronavirus infection. In this time of grave crisis, it undoubtedly frustrates the public that tobacco companies are allowed to manufacture and market their products. It should be noted that the unholy friendship between MoInd and tobacco industry is nothing new. Multinational tobacco company British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) has very recently been selected for the First Prize of the ‘President’s Award for Industrial Development 2018’. The position of the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh holds 0.64 percent share in BATB and as the relevant ministry, MoInd has its representative on BATB Board of Directors because of this share. The company has repeatedly taken advantage of such extensive govt. involvement to secure trade benefits. However, amid this crisis, the govt. must repeal all benefits provided to the tobacco industry and utilize global experience to fight COVID-19 pandemic at home. It is our firm belief that in this moment of grave crisis the govt. will take such action that prioritizes public health above anything else.