BNP walks back on its tobacco control promises
The BNP government has weakened anti-tobacco laws in Bangladesh, lifting bans on e-cigarettes and tobacco cultivation on fertile land despite prior pledges.Summary
The BNP government in Bangladesh has amended laws to allow the production and use of e-cigarettes and has lifted restrictions on tobacco cultivation on high-yielding agricultural land, actions that contradict their election manifesto's commitment to tobacco control. Critics, like Hossain Zillur Rahman, argue these changes will harm young people and undermine public health, while BNP advisor Ziauddin Hyder claims the changes allow for research and farmer autonomy. The WHO and UNICEF have expressed concern over the lifting of the e-cigarette ban, citing the aggressive marketing of these products to youth and the health risks associated with nicotine. Bangladesh already faces a significant health burden from tobacco use, with over 130,000 deaths annually, and these changes are expected to exacerbate the problem. The government defends the changes by stating the need for research and allowing farmers to make profitable decisions.
(Source：The Daily Star)
