The DORP Youth Forum on Thursday called for the merger of the low and medium tiers of cigarette pricing and set the minimum retail price at TK 90 for a 10-stick pack.
The demand was raised during a human chain held in front of the National Press Club urging the government to increase the price and tax on all tobacco products and to reform the existing tobacco tax policy in the upcoming 2025-26 national budget.
Over a hundred university students participated in the demonstration, held as part of the campaign to achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh and protect public health.
Speakers at the event stated that the affordability and easy availability of cigarettes in Bangladesh have significantly contributed to an increase in smoking among youth, posing a serious threat to public health. Currently, around 18% of youths and adults in the country smoke, resulting in approximately 161,000 tobacco-related deaths each year.
DU student Emon highlighted that among the four existing price tiers of cigarettes in the market, sales of low and medium-tier products have surged. These two tiers dominate the majority of the cigarette market.
He argued that merging the low and medium tiers and setting the minimum price at TK 90 per 10 stick pack wouldhascourage the younger generation from initiating smoking.
Youth advocate Sinthiya added that if their demands are implemented, at least 1.7 million youths could be protected from the devastating grip of tobacco. Moreover, tobacco-related premature deaths could be significantly reduced. She also noted that the government could earn more than Tk 200 billion in additional revenue, which would be nearly 43% higher than the previous year.
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Dr. Silvana Ishrat, representative of DORP's tobacco control project, remarked that although the average income and inflation have both doubled since 2016, the price of low-tier cigarettes has not increased proportionately. As a result, cigarettes have become even more accessible. She emphasized that without reforming the tax policy, effective tobacco control is not possible.
From the human chain, the forum called upon the government to include a proposal for raising cigarette prices in the 2025-26 budget and to develop a robust, health-oriented tobacco tax policy.
The Development Organization of Rural Poor (DORP) Youth Forum expressed hope that the government would recognize the voices of young people and take effective steps to build a tobacco-free, healthy, and sustainable Bangladesh for future generations.