Public Health on Top

Non-government organization Policy Exchange Bangladesh and Bangladesh Harm Reduction Foundation have, very recently, jointly organized a roundtable meeting titled "Policy for Progress: Towards Harm Reduction 2.0". Findings from two so-called research papers, “Tale of Two Nations: Bangladesh vs New Zealand” and “Prohibition Does Not Work” were presented before the audience, aiming to portray Bangladesh's proposed ban on vape products as 'ineffective". Among those present during the event was Dr. Delon Human, whose career has been the subject of major criticism due to his collaboration vested interests of British American Tobacco (BAT). Timothy Andrews, representative of Tholos Foundation and Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) was also joined virtually. It should be noted that both Tholos Foundation and Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) are funded by Philip Morris International (PMI) and involved worldwide in lobbying in favor of vape and tobacco products.

The government must not allow itself to get derailed by such disinformation campaigns and proceed with finalizing the proposed ban as well as the draft amendment to safeguard public health.