BACKGROUND: Despite government efforts to control tobacco consumption, the industry's manipulation of laws, policies, and public opinion continues to obstruct progress. The primary obstacle to effective tobacco control in Bangladesh is the strategic interference by tobacco companies, especially British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB), which employs various methods to maintain its market dominance and weaken public health initiatives.
METHODS: This study employs a mixed-method research approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of tobacco industry interference in Bangladesh. The mixed-method design allows for a holistic analysis, integrating numerical data with in-depth contextual insights to capture the multifaceted nature of the issue. Qualitative data will be collected through interviews and document analysis.
RESULTS: Most events in 2023 and 2024 involving tobacco industry interference aimed to undermine public health measures by obstructing the ongoing amendment initiative of the tobacco control law by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The industry employed several well-known tactics, including using third-party or front groups to advocate on its behalf, misleading policymakers with industry-affiliated so-called experts, and directly approaching government bodies to advance its agenda
CONCLUSIONS: The repetition of these tactics by tobacco companies indicates that the government has not updated its policies to safeguard public health measures despite public outcry. This persistent interference underscores the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and increased transparency to protect public health initiatives from being undermined by the tobacco industry.