On 24 July 2016, a delegation of Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA) met with the International Affairs adviser to the prime minister of Bangladesh Dr. Gowher Rizvi at Prime minister’s office. They urged to the advisor to take an effective initiative for improving prevention system as the treatment costs is becoming a burden in our economy, health and environment.

Activists said, Bangladesh govt. has achieved international recognition in maternal and child death reduction, TB and communicable disease control. Such initiative of Govt. for health development is truly commendable. But it’s really a matter of concern that the non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, strokes are increasing alarmingly in recent years. Insufficient physical activity, unhealthy diet, tobacco uses are the main causes of these NCDs. About 6.4 million people become poor for bearing NCD treatment cost. So we need to concentrate on preventive measures than treatment.

Dr. Gowher Rizvi said govt. has taken positive initiatives to improve the health system of the country. He assured to take initiatives to give priority on prevention system in future.

In the meeting, there present Mozaffar Hossain Poltu, President, NATAB; Saifuddin Ahmed, Coordinator, Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance; Abu Naser Khan, Chairman, Poribesh Bachao Andolon; former executive magistrate Md.Al Amin; Syeda Anonna Rahman, Program Manager, WBB Trust.

The delegation informed the advisor that govt. has taken significant initiative by imposing 1% surcharge in all tobacco products from 2014-15 fiscal year. They suggested for imposing such type of surcharge on unhealthy food like beverage, fast food like tobacco to strengthen and ensure sustainable funding for prevention system. Activists expressed their gratitude to the govt. for taking initiatives for tobacco control in the country including amendment of the law and other anti-tobacco activity in previous days.