Students from various universities on Wednesday called for an increase in tobacco taxes and immediate passing of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Law in the upcoming national budget for FY 2025-26.
They made the plea to reduce tobacco use in the country and protect the future generation from the harms of tobacco.
Students from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh University, UITS, International University of Scholars, Dhaka International University, and others gathered in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, Dhaka.
Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Well-being organised the student rally titled “Demand for Immediate Passage of Proposed Amendment to the Tobacco Control Law and Increase in Tobacco Tax.”
During the event, they strongly emphasized the need to reduce tobacco-related deaths and consumption and demanded prompt passage of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Law. They also called for a significant increase in tobacco taxes.
Currently, 48% of the country’s population is young, and 9.2% of the youth consume tobacco. Tobacco companies are targeting young people through misleading advertising and marketing, they said.
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These companies are exploiting weaknesses in the law by promoting tobacco products under the guise of displays at sales points, which are ultimately targeting children and adolescents, they added.
Furthermore, in recent years, while the prices of essential goods have surged, tobacco product prices have not increased proportionately. Bangladesh's tax rate on tobacco products is significantly lower than that in neighbouring countries, they pointed out.
The minimal annual price hikes in tobacco products are unlikely to discourage the poor and young population from smoking.
On the other hand, when prices rise, consumers often switch to cheaper alternatives, resulting in a rise in the use of inexpensive cigarettes, which significantly increases health risks.
Currently, 39.1% of individuals over the age of 15 in Bangladesh are smokers, and 7.5% of children also smoke. To protect this large population, strengthening the tobacco control law is crucial. The harmful effects of tobacco on adolescents and young adults are particularly severe. High tobacco taxes will help deter youth from smoking and prevent early deaths from tobacco use.
The students urged all relevant stakeholders to take prompt action to ensure the swift passage of the proposed tobacco control law amendment and the effective increase of tobacco taxes.