The amendment to Bangladesh's Tobacco Control Act, proposed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to protect public health, has been submitted to the cabinet for approval, according to an October 31 report by bdnews24.
However, tobacco companies, including BAT Bangladesh (BATB) and Japan Tobacco International (JTI), have raised objections. These companies have submitted formal objections to advisors at the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Finance, expressing their dissatisfaction with the proposed amendments.
The companies argue that the changes could result in a loss of government revenue. However, data from the National Board of Revenue shows that since the enactment of the Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products (Control) Act in 2005, tobacco tax revenues increased by 17.97% in the 2005-2006 fiscal year and by 37.52% in the 2006-2007 fiscal year.
In addition, following an amendment to the law in 2013, tobacco tax revenues increased by 25.51% in fiscal years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.
ABM Zubair, Executive Director of the anti-tobacco research and advocacy group PROGGA, said: "The Ministry of Health's efforts to strengthen existing tobacco control laws are aimed at protecting non-smokers from secondhand smoke and protecting youth from the harmful effects of tobacco. Therefore, the draft should be passed immediately and not be hindered by the negative tactics of the tobacco industry.
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