Youth demand higher tobacco taxes, price hike ahead of upcoming budget
They cited estimates suggesting that nearly 2 lakh people die prematurely each year from tobacco-related diseases—around 18% of total deaths in the country.
More than a hundred students from different universities, including members of DORP Tobacco-Free Youth, formed a human chain in front of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) building in Agargaon today (25 April).
They demanded effective taxation and higher prices on tobacco products in the upcoming national budget for FY2026–27.
The demonstrators said easy access to cigarettes and other tobacco products continues to expose young people to serious health risks, stressing that reducing affordability is key to curbing tobacco use among youth.
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Participants expressed concern over what they described as a growing trend of tobacco consumption among young and low-income groups in Bangladesh.
They cited estimates suggesting that nearly 2 lakh people die prematurely each year from tobacco-related diseases—around 18% of total deaths in the country.
"To prevent these avoidable deaths, tobacco products must be placed beyond the purchasing power of young people, which is only possible through effective taxation and price hikes," the students said during the programme.
Saiful Islam, a student of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), claimed that tobacco causes annual health and environmental damages worth approximately Tk87,000 crore, while government revenue from the sector stands at around Tk40,000 crore.
He added that the economic burden would be even higher if smokeless tobacco products such as zarda, gul, and white leaf were fully accounted for.
He argued that tobacco should not be treated merely as a revenue-generating sector, emphasising the need for stronger fiscal measures to discourage consumption.
Sadia Akter, a student of Dhaka Central University (DCU), said tobacco products remain relatively cheap compared to essential commodities.
She noted that prices are not regularly adjusted in line with inflation and income growth, making cigarettes increasingly affordable for young consumers.
"Without significant price increases, tobacco products will remain within reach, undermining public health efforts," she warned.
Jeba Afroza, representing DORP's tobacco control project, pointed to the existing four-tier cigarette pricing system as a key factor behind the continued affordability of cigarettes. She proposed merging the low and medium tiers in the upcoming budget.
Under her proposal, the retail price for a pack of 10 sticks would be set at Tk100 for the merged tier, Tk150 for the high tier, and Tk200 for the premium tier.
She also called for maintaining a uniform 67% supplementary duty across all tiers and introducing a specific tax of Tk4 per pack.
The demonstrators urged the government to adopt these measures in the FY2026–27 budget to protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.
