BM Report:

The Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) has revealed widespread violations of tobacco control laws by two foreign cigarette companies, British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) and Japan Tobacco International (JTI). These violations include illegal advertising, promotion, and sales of tobacco products.

The BATA conducted a survey in 45 districts across the country and found that BATB and JTI were responsible for 96% and 87% of the violations, respectively. The survey also found that 80% of paid advertising at tobacco outlets consists of price-list stickers and dummies made of empty cigarette packets.

In addition to illegal advertising and promotion, the survey also found that tobacco companies are offering various types of gifts to encourage buyers and sellers. The companies are also developing smoking areas in restaurants and selling tobacco products freely to children and adolescents under the age of 18.

“Tobacco companies are in no way above state law,” said Helal Ahmed, Acting Coordinator of BATA. “But in the last 20 years, despite repeated violations of the law, tobacco companies have not been able to be brought under any kind of punishment.”

The BATA is calling for strict enforcement of tobacco control laws and the implementation of a strong tobacco tax policy. The alliance is also urging the government to finalize the Tobacco Control Act Amendment and adopt a Code of Conduct in accordance with Article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).