Public Health on Top

Tobacco companies have launched a well-coordinated campaign to derail the tobacco control law amendment initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). They are organizing press conferences and policy dialogues using the banners of Intellectual Property Association of Bangladesh (IPAB), Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA), and National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh (NASCIB). These events are intended to portray the proposals in the amendment in a distorted manner to confuse the people and the policymakers. For example, through these events, tobacco companies spread deceptive and baseless claims, such as amendment of tobacco control law would result in massive loss of livelihoods and government revenues as well as banning e-cigarettes would cause a spike in cigarette use. In addition, these events are mounting pressure on policymakers to include tobacco companies in the amendment process, which would be a grave violation of FCTC Article 5.3. It should be noted that Bangladesh is the first signatory country in the international convention.

As it appears, IPAB and the other above-mentioned organizations are committed to opposing the amendment proposals to safeguard the commercial interests of tobacco companies. Although established with a view to upholding intellectual property rights, IPAB, over the years, has turned into an errand boy of a multinational tobacco company. The position of the Director-General (DG) of IPAB is currently occupied by someone who has been a top-tier employee of British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) for nearly two decades. Another member of BATB management is occupying the position of vice president at IPAB. As the executive committee of IPAB has representatives from four crucial ministries (Industries, Cultural Affairs, Trade, and Home Affairs), it is of public interest to investigate whether this entity has become a conduit for tobacco industry's interference and influence in policymaking.

The Health Ministry has already completed the crucial steps of preparing a draft amendment, publishing the amendment on the website, and collecting opinions from major stakeholders. Each of these proposals included in the draft is time-fitting and essential to safeguard public health. We hope, the Ministry would remain unencumbered by the ill tactics of tobacco companies and proceed with finalizing the draft act at the earliest.