A meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Finance Adviser to finalize the draft amendment to the Tobacco Control Act last July. Following the meeting, the review committee, comprising nine advisers and three secretaries, decided to hold consultations with the tobacco companies as stakeholders regarding the draft amendment. At first glance, this may appear to be an “inclusive dialogue,” but in reality, it constitutes a violation of international commitments and an unjustified concession to the tobacco companies.
Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) clearly states that public health policies must be fully protected from the commercial interests of the tobacco industry. The goals of tobacco companies and the goals of public health can never align. Under this provision, it is mandatory to keep tobacco companies completely excluded from the policymaking process. The opinions or inputs of tobacco companies or their affiliates can in no way be accepted in the drafting or amendment of any tobacco control law, rule, or policy.
Therefore, the decision to hold a “stakeholder consultation meeting” with tobacco companies in the name of amending the Tobacco Control Act is a direct violation of FCTC Article 5.3.
Tobacco companies have repeatedly lobbied to weaken laws, conducted misleading research, and carried out deceptive campaigns under the guise of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Including them in the policymaking process is akin to assigning a fox to guard the henhouse.
Every year, more than 8 million people die worldwide due to tobacco use, including about 1.3 million deaths from exposure to secondhand smoke. In Bangladesh alone, 161,000 people die annually from tobacco-related diseases.
Tobacco companies are selling cigarettes at extremely low prices so that low-income people easily become dependent on tobacco. The retail sale of single sticks makes cigarettes even more accessible, putting them within easy reach of young people. They are also making smokeless tobacco products like jarda and gul cheap and easily available, which is increasing their use among rural women and the elderly population.
Moreover, tobacco companies are sponsoring cultural, sports, and social events to attract young people, build a positive public image, and influence policymakers. In addition, they are promoting flavored e-cigarettes and next-generation tobacco products as “safer alternatives,” which is creating a new form of addiction among the youth.
Many countries around the world have already proven that strong, industry-free tobacco control laws are possible. Thailand communicates with tobacco companies only for regulatory purposes and makes such communications fully public. Uganda has banned all forms of tobacco-related CSR activities. Uruguay, despite pressure from multinational corporations, continues to enforce one of the world’s strictest packaging laws. These examples prove that with political will, it is possible to resist industry pressure and protect public health.
In 2003,Bangladesh was among the first signatories of the FCTC and received international recognition for its commitment. But now tobacco companies are trying to involving in the policymaking process, that glory is being tarnished. This not only damages the country’s reputation but also endangers the lives of hundreds of thousands every year.
It is now time for Bangladesh to take a firm stand. Tobacco company representatives must be completely excluded from the amendment process. Article 5.3 of the FCTC must be strictly implemented across all government institutions. Policymakers must be trained, and citizens must be made aware that the interests of tobacco companies are fundamentally opposed to public health. Meanwhile, youth groups and civil society must play a strong watchdog role.
There isno room for compromise here. To remain accountable to public health, to future generations, and to our international commitments, the government must ensure that public health policies are shaped by those who save lives—not by those who profit from death.
Therefore, I firmly believe that, in the interest of protecting public health, safeguarding our youth from the harms of tobacco, and advancing toward a tobacco-free Bangladesh, the government and relevant authorities must cancel all meetings with tobacco companies and pass the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Act immediately.
The Writer is Youth Advocate, Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing
