Dhaka, July 31 -- making free from tobacco industry influence is the first step to protecting public health, said former Health Minister and BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Thursday.

He stated, "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 made these remarks 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...