Tobacco Control law will be implemented in the Banking sector
Governor of Bangladesh Bank
The Bangladesh Bank is going to issue a circular to all public and private banks as per the tobacco control law of Bangladesh to make all banks smoke-free. At the same time, they would monitor whether any private bank provides financial assistance to any tobacco industry on top of their real amount.
Bangladesh bank will take initiative to create alternative employment for poor worker of tobacco industry through SME. The Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Dr Atiur Rahman delivered this speech in a dialogue with the delegates of Bangladesh Tamak Birodhi Jote (Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance-BATA) on 04 March 2010.
The Governor said tobacco products including smoking are very harmful for human being. Considering this issue Bangladesh Bank will collaboration with the government to control tobacco from its own position. In that case Non Government Organizations will have to work together including the other issues beside the tobacco control.
Mr. Saifuddin Ahamed, Coordinator of Bangladesh Tamak Birodhi Jote, The Technical consultant of The Union Dr. Akramul Islam, Technical officer of WHO Dr. Syed Mahfuzul Haque and Dr. Mahfuz Kabir, Economist of Unnayan Shamannay were present in this dialogue with the Governor of Bangladesh Bank.
Dr. Syed Mahfuzul Haque told that controlling tobacco is a holistic issue. According to the law of controlling tobacco all Banking Sector should be smoking free zone. He requested to the Governor for giving an instruction about this issue.
Dr. Akramul Islam said that many tobacco farmers wanted to produce alternative food crops. He tried to draw the attention of the Governor for enterprising more inducement for tobacco farmers.
Cultivation of tobacco become threatens for our food security, said Saifuddin Ahmad. So we have to control tobacco cultivation as early as possible. On the other hand tobacco farming has intense negative impact on poverty, malnutrition, agriculture, environment and health. He requested to the Governor to ensure that any Bank would not give any loan facilities for tobacco farming and production.
Consuming tobacco including bidi-cigerattes has also increased poverty and malnutrition among the poor people told Dr. Mahfuz Kabir. Poor people spent more money for consuming tobacco for that reason crisis has generated in our daily life together with education, health. Considering these thing tax raise, tobacco law rectification and implementation is needed for tobacco control.
At last Mr Saifuddin Ahmed on behalf of representatives gave a memorandum with specific demand to the Bangladesh Bank Governor. Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank Mr Razi Hasan, General Manager of Bangladesh Bank Md Maniruzzaman, Program Director of ACLAB Mr Shamsul Alam, Program Officer of YPSA Mr Nazmul Haider, Program Officer of Unnayan Shamannay Abida Sultana, Senior Project officer of WBB Trust Mr Aminul Islam Sujon and Liaise Officer of AID Mr Asem Roy Shuvo were also present at this time.
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