IPU chief Saber questions Bangladesh govt's position on tobacco industry

Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Saber Hossain Chowdhury has questioned Bangladesh government's position on the tobacco industry.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 30 Jan 2016, 07:44 PM
Updated : 31 Jan 2016, 08:45 AM

He says the government is playing a 'contradictory' role in regards to tobacco industry in which it has shares.

"It's a big ethical question," he said in an interactive meeting with anti-tobacco campaigners in Dhaka on Saturday.

“Will government take right decision in public interest on the industry in which it has shares," he asked.

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) organised the meeting with Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA).

CTFK President Matthew L Myers and Senior Policy Analyst of the Canadian Cancer Society Rob Cunningham were present among other global anti-tobacco campaigners.

IPU organised South Asian Speakers' Summit on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that kicked off on Saturday.

The participants at the summit also discussed the tobacco issue.

Chowdhury said a joint declaration on tobacco may be made at the summit on Sunday.

American Cancer Society Director Nigar Nargis,  CTFK South Asia Programs Director Vandana Shah, WHO's  Project Manager (Tobacco Control) Vinayak Mohan Prasad and Thailand's Action on Smoking and Health Foundation Executive Secretary Prof Prakit Vathesatogkit participated Saturday's session moderated by CTFK Country Lead of Bangladesh Md Shariful Alam.