[Intl-tobacco] Bangladesh tobacco control regs ordered

[Robert Weissman]

PRESS RELEASE

On 7th February 2000, the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) won
its second legal victory since its inception in August 1999.

The Bangladesh High Court directed the government to enact strong
tobacco control measures regarding the production and consumption of
tobacco.  The measures mentioned by the Court include banning smoking in
public places in order to maintain public health, and banning tobacco
advertisements.

According to a Bangladesh English-language newspaper, The Daily Star,
"After hearing both the sides, the bench said uncontrolled consumption
of tobacco products not only harms the consumers but also seriously
damages the health of people around them."  The newspaper further
states, "It is also anti-constitutional on the part of the government to
remain silent on this issue, the Bench said.  People's fundamental
rights to lead a happy and healthy life and live in a pollution-free
environment have been ensured" by the Constitution.

The Court's judgment was based on two separate writ petitions, one filed
by the prominent anti-smoking group ADHUNIK (which is also active in
BATA) and the other by BATA members.

BATA originated in response to a major promotional campaign, "Voyage of
Discovery" by British-American Tobacco (BAT) for its John Players Gold
Leaf brand cigarette.  In addition to a number of activities in protest
of Voyage, BATA also submitted a successful writ petition to stop
promotional activities of the campaign.

BATA will continue to press for strong tobacco control measures,
including a comprehensive ban on advertising and promotion of tobacco,
protection of non-smokers, and higher taxes on all tobacco products.

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Debra Efroymson, Regional Advisor
PATH Canada
67 Laboratory Road, Dhanmondi
Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh
e-mail:  pathCan@citechco.net
fax:  (8802) 966-0372
phone:  (8802) 966-9781