Public Health on Top

With a view to influencing tobacco tax and price related proposals in the national budget, British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) has been using the most significant and influential business associations of the country. In order to influence the upcoming FY 2021-22 national budget, the company has already participated and raised its demands in several pre-budget meetings with National Board of Revenue (NBR) under the banner of different business associations. According to an investigation, BATB officials and board members occupy leading positions in influential business associations such as Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) and International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICCB). Two BATB officials also hold positions in Intellectual Property Association of Bangladesh (IPAB) which deals with different business groups. BATB Chairman also holds the position of Director of Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC), a body under the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Ministry of Finance (MoF).
Leadership of a tobacco company in vital business associations and govt. bodies poses a grave danger to public health and the economy. It is impossible to achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh while allowing tobacco businesses to expand.