The existing tobacco tax structure is hardly contributing to the goal of a tobacco-free Bangladesh. Economists, journalists, and public health experts are now calling for effective tobacco tax and price measures in the upcoming FY 2024-25.
These issues were raised today (22 May) during a virtual roundtable titled "Tobacco-Free Bangladesh: The Need for Strong Tobacco Tax and Price Measures," organised by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), reads a press release.
The prices of essential commodities, such as sugar, potatoes, and flour, have seen an increase of 40 to 90 percent between 2021 and 2023. However, during the same period, the prices of tobacco products increased by only 6 to 15 percent. This discrepancy is due to the faulty tobacco tax structure, said the speakers.
Eminent economist and convener of the National Anti-Tobacco Platform, Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, "There is no alternative to strong tobacco tax and price measures to achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh. We hope the government will take into account the budget proposals raised in this event."
Dr. Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), said, “Raising the retail price of every 10 sticks of low-tier cigarettes to Tk60 from Tk45 and supplementary duty to 63% from the existing 58% would certainly discourage cigarette use among the youth and also raise revenue inflow for the government."
It was also informed that the implementation of the budget proposals would generate Tk10,000 crore as additional revenue. Additionally, the proposals, in the long run, will also help prevent the premature deaths of 1.1 million Bangladeshis, including nearly half a million youths.
Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Lead Policy Advisor for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), Dr Syed Mahfuzul Huq, National Professional Officer (NCD) for WHO, Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research, National Heart Foundation, and Md. Monir Hossain Liton, Head of National, Ekattor Television, spoke at the event.
Nadira Kiron, Co-convener of ATMA, hosted the event which was also attended by Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener, ATMA, ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA, ATMA journalists and representatives from other anti-tobacco organizations.
