Every year about 6 million people died early death worldwide and 70% of that occurs in developing countries like Bangladesh. The whole world is currently active to control this unwanted premature death. Considering the public health, Bangladesh government has taken various initiative in tobacco control i.e. formulation of tobacco control act and rules. But, tobacco companies are violating the law in many ways as well as organizing program titled “Battle of mind” as their market promotional strategy. This type of activities is one kind strategy to influence policy makers along with market promotion. Addressing the issue, with the support of Work for a Better Bangladesh trust, Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA) organized a sit-in-place on the demand of “Stopping BAT’s fraudulent program ‘Battle of Mind’ for public health development” on 14 January 2017 in front of National Press Club.

Speakers said, ‘alluring the young, intelligent and talented youth by showing the opportunity of high salary and facilities in this harmful product producing company, British American Tobacco Company Bangladesh (BATB) is organizing this program. BAT spent millions for this program every year but according to media reports, they employed only 100 people in the last 12 years. The main objective of this program can be easily understood. Though any kind of direct or indirect promotion of tobacco products or brands it prohibited as per law, companies are conducting band promotions behind these activities disregarding the law. Moreover, any kind interaction between government official and tobacco company is restricted as per FCTC article 5.3 and attendance of government officers or policy makers in such programs creates conflict of interest.’ From that context, tobacco control activists urged to policy makers to refrain from participating in such promotional activities of tobacco companies.  

In the program there present Helal Ahmed, Secretary General of Prottyasha Anti-Drug Organization, Amir Hasan, President of Green Mind Society; Syeda Anonna Rahman, Program Manager of Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust; Towhid ud Doula Reza, Project Officer of AID Foundation ; Farzana Zaman Liza, Research Assistant and Md. Mohiuddin, Project Officer of Tobacco Control and Research Cell; Anadi Kumar Mondol, Executive Director of Prodesh; Umme Salma, General Secretary of Swapner Siri Organization; Atika Hossain, Executive Director of Nabonita Women Welfare organization and many more.