Decision to Hold Meeting with Tobacco Companies is a Violation of International Treaty
The advisory committee formed to revise the draft of the Smoking and Tobacco Products (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 has decided to hold meetings with tobacco companies. This move is a clear violation of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization’s international treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Dhaka Ahsania Mission has expressed concern over this decision by the advisory committee.
In a press release issued on Monday (21 July 2025), Dhaka Ahsania Mission stated that, as per the FCTC, each signatory country has the responsibility to protect its policymaking processes from the vested interests of the tobacco industry. The treaty clearly acknowledges a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the tobacco industry and public healt...