Development stakeholders must work together for tobacco control

Bangladesh is thefifth largest tobacco consuming country in the world. Therefore, tobaccocontrol is a major hurdle on the way of inclusive and sustainable developmentin the country. As pivotal stakeholders of Bangladesh’s developmental journey-national and international NGOs operating in the country must work together toensure desired tobacco control outcomes. Top NGO leaders said so today(Tuesday, 11 February 2025) at a roundtable session titled “Tobacco Control forSafeguarding Public Health”. The session was organized by non-government thinktank Unnayan Shamannay at the Bishwo Sahitto Kendro Bhaban, Dhaka, where theorganization’s Head of Program- Shaheen Ul Alam moderated the discussion.

While presentingthe context paper for the roundtable discussion, Unnayan Shamannay’s ResearchDirector- Abdullah Nadvi pointed out that over the last three fiscal years,prices of daily commodities such as rice, lentils, oil, and sugar have risen by9 to 84 percent. However, over the same period, cigarette prices have risen byonly 7 percent. As a result, cigarettes have become increasingly affordable inBangladesh. Dr. Shafiun Nahin Shimu, a professor of the Institute of HealthEconomics, Dhaka University added that the National Board of Revenue has optedto raise both prices of and taxes on all cigarettes in the middle of the fiscalyear mainly with the intention of generating more revenue. This, middle of the fiscalyear decision by the NBR, proves that imposing higher taxes on cigarettes arenot at all likely to result in reduction of taxes received by the governmentfrom selling of cigarettes. If the NBR had taken such decisions at thebeginning of the fiscal year further beneficial outcomes could have beenensured, said Aminur Rasul (Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan). Hefurther added that upon considering the negative impacts of cigaretteproduction on environment, policymakers should go for imposing higher taxes oncigarettes.

Tony Michael Gomes(Advocacy Director, Care Bangladesh) pointed out that raising prices ofcigarettes and imposing higher taxes on those raised prices have been proven tobe the most effective measure to reduce tobacco consumption. At the same time,to safeguard future generations and the non-smokers from the hazards of tobacco,the existing tobacco control law must be further strengthened and effectivelyimplemented. World Vision Bangladesh’s Senior Director Chandan Z. Gomes alsoemphasized strengthening the tobacco control legislation and said the amendmentto the existing tobacco control law proposed by the Ministry of Health has manyprovisions such as banning designated smoking areas and banning e-cigaretteswhich are much desired and relevant. He also urged the national and internationNGOs to take initiatives to discourage smoking in their working areas acrossthe country. Other discussants at the event were- Action Aid Bangladesh’s Headof Programs Kazi Morshed Alam, Save the Children’s Senior Advisor Belal Uddin,Concern Worldwide’s Advocacy Advisor- Nabinur Rahman, UNDP Bangladesh’s SeniorAdvisor- S. M. Monjur Rashid, Kapaeeng Foundation’s Program Manager Uzzal Azim,and ALRD’s Executive Director Shamsul Huda. CTFK Bangladesh’s Lead PolicyAdvisor and former Chairman, BCIC Md. Mostafizur Rahman delivered the vote of thanks.