Dhaka, Dec. 11 -- Leading companies in the tobacco industry today issued a joint statement, expressing their serious concerns over the government's attempt to pass the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Act without a stakeholder-inclusive consultation in the absence of appropriate Parliamentary process. Industry players believe that the proposed amendment will result in "far-reaching, negative consequences on the country's economy, investment climate, risk to consumer product quality, and, most importantly, the livelihood of the associated communities."

In a unified statement, British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) Managing Director Monisha Abraham, Philip Morris Bangladesh Managing Director Reza-Ur-Rahman Mahmud, and JT Inter...