National Level Dialogue for Imposing Effective Tax on Tobacco Products in FY 2025-26

Call for Increased Cigarette Taxes to Improve Public Health and Revenue

Dhaka, January 7, 2025: A national-level Dialogue was held today at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka, organized by the Shastho Shurokkha Foundation. The event brought together concerned citizens, university students, academics, researchers, civil society members, and high-ranking officials from government and non-governmental organizations to advocate for effective tobacco taxation to safeguard public health and boost government revenue.

The keynote presentation revealed that Bangladesh has the highest tobacco use rate in South Asia, at 35.3%. Annually, approximately 161,000 adults die prematurely due to tobacco-related diseases. Moreover, the government spends 34% more on treating tobacco-induced illnesses than the revenue it generates from the tobacco industry.

Among others present were Professor Dr. Rafiqul Islam from the Sociology Department of Jagannath University, Dr. Iftekhar Muhsin, Project Coordinator at the Shastho Shurokkha Foundation, along with high-ranking officials from various government and non-governmental organizations, representatives from domestic and foreign development partner organizations, and media personnel.