Former Health Minister and BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain. File Photo

DHAKA, July 31, 2025 (BSS) - Former Health Minister and BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain suggested keeping policy-making free from the influence of tobacco industry for protecting public health.

"According to Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the commercial interests of the tobacco industry and the public interest can never be the same. The government must remain free from tobacco industry influence and commit to formulating public health-friendly policies," he said.

He made these remarks today while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled "Implementation of the WHO FCTC and the Government's Obligations in Complying with Article 5.3", organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission at a hotel in the capital, said a press release.

Speaking as a special guest, Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Health Affairs Secretary of BNP's National Executive Committee, said, "The corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of tobacco companies are, in reality, nothing more than strategies to promote their products and influence policymakers." 
He further noted that the purpose of the FCTC is to reduce tobacco use, protect public health, regulate the production, marketing and consumption of tobacco products and shield government policies from tobacco industry interference.

Saifuddin Ahmed, Coordinator of the Anti-Tobacco Alliance, Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Milon, Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Mohammad Khalilullah, Vice-President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Sushanto Sinha, Special Correspondent of 71 TV and Dr. Shahidul Alam, a BNP Executive Member, attended as Guest of Honour in the seminar. 

Marjana Muntaha, Coordinator of the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing, along with other members of the forum also spoke. 

The seminar was presided over by Professor Dr. Golam Rahman, President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission. The welcome speech was delivered by Shariful Islam, Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Project at Dhaka Ahsania Mission.

Speakers at the seminar said that any communication between government officials and tobacco companies must be made publicly accessible. 

They emphasized that during law reform processes, the priority should be public health - not the interests of the tobacco industry - and that no consultations should be held with the tobacco industry to seek their opinions. 

The discussants also urged the BNP to give serious consideration to tobacco control in its upcoming election manifesto.