Tobacco companies exploit CSR programmes to interfere in tobacco-control activities: report

Tobacco companies have used their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes to get closer to policymakers, government officials and administration in order to exploit “connection to extract different benefits and to interfere in tobacco control activities”, anti-tobacco group Knowledge for Progress said citing a survey report.

In addition, the companies have publicised their CSR activities as much as possible to salvage their corporate image among the public, the group said in a press release today.

Findings of the report “Tobacco Industry Interference Index: FCTC Article 5.3 Implementation Report, Bangladesh” was unveiled today during a webinar, jointly organised by Knowledge for Progress (Progga) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA).

The group also claimed that the tobacco companies have managed to exploit the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to the fullest for their benefit.

In its recommendation, the report stressed that all types of CSR activities of tobacco companies must be banned through an amendment of relevant law.

While Bangladesh has made progress to some extent in the implementation of World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 5.3, it is not satisfactory at all, the release said citing the report.

Bangladesh has scored 68 in the “Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2020”, which means that the country is still highly vulnerable to the interference of tobacco industry, it added.

Addressing the webinar, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said, “I have already submitted a Private Member’s Bill to exclude tobacco from the list of essential commodities.”

Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, chairman of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, said the prevalence of tobacco use is one of such problems which cannot be tackled only by the sole effort of the health ministry.

All ministries should make a concerted effort to curb this havoc, he added.

 

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