Press Release:

Tobacco company fraud must be exposed

-Speakers at the anti-tobacco orientation of media workers

Tobacco companies are resorting to malfeasance and fraud to undermine public health protection programs. Media should play a more active role in eradicating tobacco from the country. The speakers expressed this opinion at the orientation program of media workers on tobacco control at the BMA building in the capital today (October 30, 2022) organized by the Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse (MANAS).

MANAS founding president freedom fighter Professor Dr. ArupRatan Chowdhury presided over the opening session of the event and the coordinator of National Tobacco Control Cell (Additional Secretary) Hossain Ali Khondokar, editor of Dainik Bhorer Paper Shyamal Dutta and technical consultant of The Union Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam. Former vice chancellor of Dhaka University and chairman of Bangladesh News Agency (BASS) Professor A A S M Arefin Siddique was the guest of honor in the closing phase of the program. MANAS project officer Abu Rayhan conducted the program.

Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam said that 1 lakh 61 thousand people die every year due to tobacco. More than 30 thousand crore rupees are spent on the health sector. However, tobacco companies give the government a lot of revenue by promoting it. In fact, the VAT paid by consumers of tobacco products continues to be tax paid by themselves. In addition, tax evasion is tricking the government. In addition, tax evasion is tricking the government. If the tax evasion of tobacco companies is stopped, free treatment of all heart patients in the country is possible. Aggressive tobacco campaigns are being carried out in dramas, movies, and OTT platforms to get teenagers addicted, he pointed out.

Hossain Ali Khondokar said, people trust media and journalists. News has good and bad sides, if it contains true information to benefit society, it should be taken positively. The existing laws are being amended to implement the declaration of ‘Tobacco Free Bangladesh’ by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. The National Control Cell under the initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is working with the concerned parties in this regard. Anti-tobacco campaigns are essential for effective tobacco control. The role of the media in this regard is undeniable.

Shyamal Dutta said, in some cases, giants can be observed in controlling harmful substances like tobacco. Journalists have to work on this and be aware of it. In the past, we have returned millions of rupees worth of advertisements only keeping the public interest in mind. Because tobacco companies run campaigns to encourage people to die of addiction. Multinational companies are powerful but journalists have a lot to do for the sake of the country and the people. Such an orientation program will be helpful for media and journalists.

Professor AASM Arefin Siddique said tobacco is causing multidimensional problems. Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced to make ‘Tobacco Free Bangladesh’ by 2040. But, the tobacco companies are creating obstacles in the implementation of the Prime Minister’s announcement in various ways. It appears that the tobacco companies are using fraud to delay the amendment of the Tobacco Control Act. The main task of journalism is to publish the truth. Regular reports should be disseminated/published on tobacco companies’ malfeasance.

Hero freedom fighter Professor Dr. ArupaRatan Chowdhury said that the anti-tobacco social movement has reached a promising position that the media and has played a role. Personally, I started an anti-tobacco campaign in the media and it continues. Media should be more active in the anti-tobacco campaign out of moral responsibility. Dr. expressed hope that this program and the information provided by MANAS will help the journalists to write against tobacco. ArupaRatan Chowdhury.

With Thanks

Md. Abu Rayhan

Project Officer
MANAS (Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse
01977-541871