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 health policies. Therefore, the government must not accept, endorse, or approve any draft law or policy assistance prepared by or in collaboration with tobacco companies. One party seeks to expand tobacco sales and profit, while the other aims to protect the public from the harms caused by such products.
Nevertheless, in the advisory committee meeting held on 13 July, chaired by the Finance Advisor, it was decided that opinions from tobacco companies would be sought regarding the draft amendment of the tobacco control ordinance.
Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, stated that such a decision by the government is against public interest and will create opportunities for the tobacco industry to influence the policymaking process. This could lead to a major setback in efforts to protect public health. Such actions not only violate international obligations but also pose a significant obstacle to Bangladesh’s longstanding progress in tobacco control.
He further added that taking advice from tobacco companies under the pretext of revenue loss is entirely unacceptable. The economic and health-related damages caused by tobacco products are many times greater than the revenue they generate. Hence, the advisory committee’s decision is not only illogical but also goes against international commitments and ethical standards.
Global research has shown that the tobacco industry uses various tactics to influence policy decisions, often at the expense of public health. In Bangladesh, tobacco-related diseases claim the lives of approximately 161,000 people every year and leave hundreds of thousands disabled. This leads to a massive financial burden on the health sector and hampers national productivity. Yet, during the meeting, the Finance Advisor opined that tobacco companies’ feedback is needed to ensure continued revenue collection. Such a stance prioritizes financial concerns over public health, setting a dangerous precedent.
The press release also stated that no opinion, suggestion, or participation from the tobacco industry should be allowed in the proposed tobacco control ordinance. Article 5.3 of the FCTC must be strictly followed, and the revised ordinance should be finalized and issued without delay. This is not only crucial for public health but also for upholding Bangladesh’s international commitments and ensuring a safer and healthier future for the next generation.