Taxes not sole solution to curb tobacco consumption: Adviser Farida
Taxation is one of the most effective methods to curb tobacco consumption but it is not the only method, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said today (21 January).
"Despite existing laws banning the promotion of tobacco, cigarette companies continue to create incentives and attractions, which has led to a persistent consumption rate that refuses to decline," the adviser said at a seminar on tobacco at Bishwa Shahithyo Kendra in Dhaka.
Referring to a research, Farida said that 35.3% people in the country use tobacco, which means that one in every three persons is a smoker. This picture is both terrifying and worrying, she added.
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She said although the target of SDG 3.9 calls for a significant reduction in tobacco use to protect public health, the Tobacco Control Act needs to be amended and implemented immediately to make it effective by 2030.
The adviser said the number of tobacco users will decrease if the National Board of Revenue imposes higher taxes.
She added that while there is apprehension within the National Board of Revenue about the impact of higher taxes on tobacco use, research consistently showed that although tobacco use may slightly decrease, the overall revenue would increase as a result.
