Public Health on Top

Rather than implementing the clear policy directives from the Honorable Prime Minister on tobacco control, different government bodies of Bangladesh are walking in the completely opposite direction. Very recently, a new cigarette factory, namely Global Tobacco Limited was inaugurated in the Ishwardi Export Processing Zone (Ishwardi EPZ). Last year, the same EPZ saw another cigarette manufacturing plant, Asian Tobacco open its door. According to Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, EPZs provide investors a wide array of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives that include 5–7-year long tax holidays, duty-free import of raw materials, machinery, equipment & construction materials and duty-free export of finished goods, among others. So, allowing tobacco companies in EPZs equates to incentivizing tobacco trade, which is in conflict with the government’s FCTC obligations and commitment to build a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2041. Adding to the series of pro-tobacco moves from government bodies, National Board of Revenue (NBR) has bestowed yet another ‘Best Taxpayer Award’ on British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB). It is impossible to achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh, a vision of the HPM, while allowing and encouraging expansion of tobacco trade. Necessary policy changes should be brought to stop the establishment of new tobacco factories. Measure should be taken to disqualify tobacco companies from government awards and recognitions.
Meanwhile, for the lack of any regulatory measure, e-cigarette market is becoming more aggressive by the day. Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA) has been conducting a campaign demanding the formulation of pro-vaping policy which would also encourage establishing an independent vaping industry in the country. The organization is promoting vaping as a so-called 'safe alternative' to traditional cigarettes. Another organization, Voice of Vapers (VoV) has also launched an online petition campaign. Such moves of pro-vaping entities in recent times have posed a new danger for public health of the country. To safeguard the youth from the harms of e-cigarettes and vaping, the tobacco control law should be amended at the earliest to ban the production, import, marketing and sale of such items.