CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Advocacy to stop tobacco industry interference in Bangladesh
 
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1
Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, Dhaka, Bangladesh
 
2
The Union, Dhaka, Bangladesh
 
3
National Tobacco Control Cell, Dhaka, Bangladesh
 
 
Publication date: 2021-09-02
 
 
Corresponding author
Sharmin Akter   

Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, Dhaka, Bangladesh
 
 
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2021;19(Suppl 1):A66
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Bangladesh signed and ratified WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and passed its national law in 2005 that amended in 2013, but there is no guideline on implementation of the FCTC article 5.3. So tobacco control and public health intervention and other concerned government programs are un-protected from interferences of the Tobacco Industries (TI). Violation of the tobacco control law by the tobacco industry’s itself is rampant in Bangladesh.

Objectives:
To promote the importance of guideline on the implementation of the WHO FCTC Article 5.3 that protect tobacco control, public health and other concerned government intervention from TI’s interferences.

Methods:
WBB Trust responds quickly as soon as the interference of TI’s became public. WBB Trust also ally with various government and non-government experts and activists to track and report the on the TI’s violations of law and interferences. Along with anti tobacco organizations, WBB Trust organized human chain programs, demonstrations, letter campaigns, seminars, press conferences and met concerned government officials countrywide to inform about the obligation of WHO FCTC including article 5.3.

Results:
Out of total 8 divisions, 5 divisional commissioners (administrative head at divisional level) of Bangladesh issued letter to stop industry interferences. Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation refused to attend the meeting organized by tobacco industry. The University Grants Commission (UGC, controlling authority of the all public and private university) issued a notice to stop to organize programs to motivate youths to consume tobacco on the banner of BAT\'s Battle of Mind. And National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) committed to prepare a guideline on FCTC article 5.3 implementation to stop tobacco industry interference.

Conclusion(s):
Tobacco industries uses money to interfere tobacco control initiatives and civil societies working with moral courage. This is fundamental distinction. This is necessary to continue track and monitor TI’s and their activities.

eISSN:1617-9625
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