Guidelines on FCTC article 5.3 implementation need to protect tobacco industry interference. A code of conduct should adopt for government agencies in the light of the obligations of FCTC article 5.3. Government agencies have to be work in a coordinated way for tobacco control and to prevent TI influence. Speakers opined this in a consultation meeting on “Importance of FCTC article 5.3 implementation to protect tobacco control related polices” jointly organized by National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust, supported by The Union under Bloomberg Initiative.

NTCC coordinator Md. Khairul Alam Sheikh presided over the meeting. Additional Secretary from Secondary and Higher Education Department Dr. Aruna Biswas, Country Advisor of Vital Strategies Shafiqul Islam and Executive Director of AID Foundation Aminul Islam Bokul present as special guest. Syed Mahbubul Alam, Technical Advisor of The Union presented key note presentation. Representatives from various government ministries and departments i.e. ministry of Finance, Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Dhaka North City Corporation, National Consumer Rights Protection Department, Health Economics Unit and anti-tobacco activists participated in the meeting.