Economists and public health experts on Saturday stated that implementing effective taxes and price hikes on tobacco products, free from the interference of tobacco companies, in the upcoming FY 2025–26 budget will reduce tobacco-related deaths and significantly increase government revenue.
They shared this insight at a discussion meeting titled “Tobacco Tax Proposal in the Upcoming FY 2025–26 Budget” held at the auditorium of Dhaka Ahsania Mission ( DAM).
Member of the Health Sector Reform Commission Professor Dr. Syed Akram Hussain delivered his speech as the key speaker. The meeting was presided over by Vice- President of Ahsania Mission Dr. Mohammad Khalilullah presided over the session while Mukhlesur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Health Sector of the Mission delivered a welcome speech.
During the discussion, a proposed structure for tobacco tax and pricing in the upcoming budget was unveiled. The proposal recommended merging the lower and medium tiers of cigarettes and setting the retail price at BDT 90 per 10-stick pack.
Presenting the keynote paper, Project Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Project at DAM Shariful Islam stated that if the proposed tax reform is implemented in FY 2025–26, cigarette consumption could drop from 15.1% to 13.03%. This would encourage approximately 2.4 million adults to quit smoking and deter around 1.7 million youths from initiating tobacco use.
Over the long term, it could prevent the premature deaths of approximately 864,758 adults and 869,000 youths. Furthermore, the government could earn nearly TK 68,000 crore in revenue—a 43% increase, or TK 20,000 crore more than the previous fiscal year.
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Other discussants included Professor of Economics at the University of Dhaka Dr. Rumana Haque, Chief News Editor of Global TV Ferdous Mamun, Chief News Editor of Bangla TV M.M. Badshah, General Secretary of the Dhaka Reporters' Unity Mainul Hasan Sohel,President of the Bangladesh Health Reporters’ Forum Rashed Rabbi, and President of the Bangladesh Shop Business Owners Association Nazmul Hasan Mahmud.