Bangladesh ranks third among 33 countries, study finds

Bangladesh has ranked third among 33 countries in terms of interference of tobacco companies in government action regarding tobacco control, finds a study.

The country scored 77 points in the parameters of interference intensity behind Japan with 88 points in the first place and Jordan with 79 points in the second position, according to the study.

Uganda and the UK are the countries with the least interference, as they scored 29 and 26 points respectively [the lower the score, the lesser the interference], according to the study.

The study, titled “Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2019”, is an initiative of South-East Asia Tobacco Control Alliance -- a coalition of anti-tobacco organisations -- which has been conducted with support of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC).

Progotir Jonno Gyan (PROGGA), a Dhaka-based research organisation which covered the Bangladesh part in the study, unveiled the findings at a seminar in the capital’s Cirdap auditorium yesterday.

Sharing the findings, Hasan Shahriar, head of tobacco control of PROGGA and one of the lead researchers, said Bangladesh is improving gradually in tobacco control but the progress is not satisfactory.

Besides, strong interference of the tobacco industry in government actions hinders the improvement significantly, he added.

The tobacco companies mostly interfere in taxation, tobacco pricing and policymaking activities of the government by influencing its top officials and ministries, said Shahriar.

“They entice officials and lawmakers by providing awards and gifts in return of benefits,” he added, citing the study findings.

The study said the interference in Bangladesh gets a new dimension as the government owns some shares of British American Tobacco Bangladesh, the country’s largest tobacco company.

Despite such alarming level of clout of tobacco companies, the government has not taken any preventive measure to overcome it, the report added.

The study was conducted focusing on the implementation progress of the Article 5.3 of World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004.

In the article, WHO asks all governments -- including Bangladesh which ratified the FCTC -- to stay free of interference of the tobacco industry while taking measures for tobacco control.

To overcome the interference, the study suggested that the government immediately part ways with tobacco companies by withdrawing the shares from British American Tobacco Bangladesh.

It also suggested to make all government communications with tobacco companies public, avoid receiving awards and gifts from them, and stop allowing international tobacco companies to launch businesses in the country.

Speaking as chief guest at the seminar, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said the government is eager to make Bangladesh a tobacco-free country, but their effort is hindered due to “ambivalent behaviour” of some lawmakers and ministers.

He also stressed on the need for banning import of e-cigarettes, considering the growing public health concern about the product.

Lawmaker Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Dhaka University former Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique and Head of Global Research and Advocacy of GGTC Mary Assunta also spoke at the programme, among others.

TOBACCO CONTROL JOURNALISM AWARD

At the seminar, PROGGA also awarded thee journalists with this year’s Tobacco Control Journalism Award, for their extraordinary reporting that helped promote tobacco control activities.

The awardees are: Suhadha Afrin, staff reporter of Prothom Alo and Sharif Sumon, senior correspondent (Rajshahi) of banglanews24.com under print/online media category; and Mamun Abdullah, reporter of Somoy Television under the TV report category.

The information minister, along with other guests, handed over the awards to the winners. The awards included a certificate, a crest and a cheque for Tk 50,000.