Lawful GHW implementation from Sep 19 uncertain! Though based on the High Court verdict, the National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) issued a public notice to print Graphic Health Warning (GHW) covering 50 percent upper portion, the continuous interference from the tobacco companies the initiative is almost falling apart.
Recently, several sources have confirmed that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is supposed to issue a letter to the Health Ministry to postpone the lawful implementation of GHW for around a year which is really frustrating for the anti-tobacco activists.
In last year the tobacco companies induced NBR to work for its favor with an excuse of revenue loss and the similar possibilities are arising now too. Protesting the public notice, Bangladesh Cigarette Manufacturers’ Association (BCMA) has issued a letter to the NBR.
The BCMA has demanded to continue printing the GHW on the lower parts of the tobacco packets with the excuse of band roll or revenue stamp. A closed-door meeting, with the participations of cigarette company owner and Managing Directors, has already been held at the Finance Ministry while the Minister was in the chair. The meeting was participated by Minister for Commerce, NBR Chairman and other high government officials.
Besides, another meeting was arranged on August 10, 2017 with the participation of cigarette companies, Law Ministry, Health Ministry, and NTCC representative. The Health Ministry and NTCC pointed out the legal bindings of lawful GHW implementation and also told that there were no chances to annul the public notice or review the GHW issue following the HC verdict.
Remarkably, considering the detrimental impacts of tobacco use, Honorable Prime Minister has pledged to make Bangladesh smoke-free before 2040. Tobacco will grab the young generation unless the GHW is implemented after the law directives on the tobacco packets.