Public health experts and physicians at a press conference in Dhaka on Monday (November 8) said that cigarette companies are running misleading campaigns to thwart the government’s positive move to amend the tobacco control law.
They said, although the number of users of tobacco products in the country is still much higher, it is not growing at the rate, which was supposed to grow, due to the enactment of the tobacco control law in 2005. The government has taken the initiative to amend the law again to protect public health. It will play a vital role in implementing the declaration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make the country tobacco-free by 2040, they added.
They called for the speedy amendment of the tobacco control law, resisting all the evil attempts of the tobacco companies.
Bangladesh Cancer Society, Bangladesh Society of Radiation Oncologists, United Forum Against Tobacco and Bangladesh Network for Tobacco Tax Policy (BNTTP) jointly arranged the press conference titled ‘Government in Protection of Public Health, Tobacco Companies in Opposition’ at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Project Director of Bangladesh Cancer Society Prof Dr Gulam Mohiuddin Faruk presided over the press conference, while researcher of Epidemiology and Research Department at National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute Dr Mahbubus Sobhan Lincoln read out the written statement.
Lead Policy Advisor of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) Md Mostafizur Rahman, chief professor of Bangladesh Society of Radiation Oncologists Dr Kazi Mostak Hossain, expert on oncology Prof Dr Md Khorshed Alam and public health expert Aminul Islam Bakul were present at the press conference and gave answers of questions from the media.
They said that tobacco companies also opposed during the enactment of the tobacco control law in 2005 and its update in 2013. The companies are now opposing the government’s move of amendment tactfully. The government has to take a hard decision by keeping a close eye on the tactics of tobacco companies, they added.
They also said that in Bangladesh, two foreign companies have controlled the majority of the country’s tobacco business. These companies have chosen our country to expand their business. They are only taking profit from this country. But they do not take any responsibility for the cost of diseases and economic, environmental and other losses. “So, we need to take steps to encourage people to buy healthy products instead of harmful products like tobacco,” said the public health experts and physicians.
