A legal notice has been served on the government, requesting immediate cancellation of the approval granted to Philip Morris Bangladesh Ltd for setting up a nicotine pouch factory at Meghna Industrial Economic Zone in Narayanganj.
Barrister Jwel Sarkar issued the notice today on behalf of Public Health Lawyers’ Network (PHLN), anti-tobacco activist Saifuddin Ahmed, Earth Development Foundation CEO Md Aminul Islam, and Pratyasha Anti-Drug Club Secretary General Helal Uddin.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. The notice described the approval as “unconstitutional, illegal, and a violation of Supreme Court directives meant to safeguard public health.”
The notice was sent to the secretaries at the Chief Adviser’s Office and the ministries of health, environment and industries, as well as the executive chairmen of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the director general of the Department of Environment, the chairman of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, and Philip Morris Bangladesh Ltd.
Citing World Health Organization estimates, the notice said tobacco causes 161,000 deaths annually in Bangladesh. A 2019 study by the Bangladesh Cancer Society found tobacco use cost the economy Tk 3,560 crore in treatment and productivity losses in FY 2017-18, while government revenue from tobacco stood at Tk 22,810 crore in the same period.
Despite obligations under the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (as amended), and Bangladesh’s commitments under the WHO framework, enforcement remains insufficient, the notice said.
This failure to properly regulate tobacco products jeopardises public health and breaches the fundamental right to life and health guaranteed under Articles 18(1) and 32 of the Constitution, the lawyer said in the legal notice.
He requested the recipients to ensure strict compliance with Supreme Court directives and constitutional provisions, and to provide a written explanation within two days.
If they fail to respond, appropriate proceedings will be initiated before the High Court, the notice warned.