Dhaka: Two anti-tobacco campaign platforms have accused the tobacco industry of using deceptive tactics to sway government policies in their favor, while concealing the detrimental impact on public health.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the research and advocacy group Progga and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) made these allegations in a joint statement following a two-day workshop titled ‘Tobacco Companies Dirty Tricks: What Media Can Do’.
The statement revealed that tobacco companies recently approached the finance and law ministries with letters aimed at blocking a proposed amendment to the existing tobacco law. These letters reportedly contained misleading information, suggesting potential revenue losses for the government. However, the campaigners argued that the proposed amendment had minimal connection to job losses, as evidenced by a 2021 Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics survey. The survey indicated that there are 15,39,000 retail shops in Bangladesh, with only 196,341 selling tobacco along with other consumer items. The statement accused the tobacco industry of exaggerating these numbers to manipulate policymakers.
Further data from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) illustrated that following the implementation of the initial tobacco control law in 2005, revenue from the sector increased by 17.97 percent and 37.52 percent in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 fiscal years, respectively. Another amendment in 2013 resulted in a significant revenue boost of 25.51 percent and 46.52 percent in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 fiscal years.
The statement emphasized the media’s crucial role in uncovering the true motives of tobacco companies, which fail to acknowledge the substantial loss of life caused by their products. It cited a study indicating that 35.3 percent of individuals aged 15 and above consume tobacco. Additionally, a 2019 study by the American Cancer Society reported that in 2017-18, tobacco use resulted in a loss of Taka 30,560 crore in medical expenses and productivity, compared to the Taka 22,810 crore revenue generated from the tobacco sector.
The workshop, held at the BMA Bhaban in the capital, was attended by 51 journalists from TV, newspapers, and online media. Panelists included Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation’s former chairman M Mostafizur Rahman, Executive Editor of Dhaka Tribune Reaz Ahmed, Deputy Editor of Business Standard Sazzadur Rahman, Economic Reporters Forum President Doulot Akter Mala, ATMA Convener Liton Haider, Co-Conveners Nadia Kiron and Mizan Chowdhury, PROGGA’s Executive Director ABM Zubair, and Program Head M Hasan Shahriar, among others.