Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
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Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Epaper

Taxation must curb smoking, ensure a healthy future for youth

Published : Thursday, 19 December, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 493
Dr Nizam Uddin Ahmed
In Bangladesh, tobacco use, particularly smoking, poses a grave threat to public health. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 161,000 people die each year from tobacco-related diseases in Bangladesh. More than 61,000 children (under 15 years of age) suffer from diseases caused by second-hand smoke in Bangladesh. 6.9% of youth (ages 13-15) in Bangladesh use tobacco in any form. (Source: Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 2013). Taking effective measures to control the harmful effects of tobacco and protect youth is crucial. In this regard, increasing taxes on tobacco products is a proven measure globally.

Bangladesh has the highest adult tobacco use rate among South Asian countries (35.3%), and third in the world. (Source: Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2017). It is a globally proven method to increase the price of tobacco products, which discourages young people from starting to smoke.

Young people are particularly price-sensitive, and higher prices reduce their ability to purchase tobacco products. Research shows that a 10% increase in tobacco prices leads to a 4% reduction in smoking (International Monetary Fund (IMF). This indicates that increasing taxes can significantly reduce smoking rates, especially among youth. 

Tobacco companies often use promotions like discounts and multi-pack offers to attract young people. Higher taxes make these promotions less effective and more expensive for the companies to implement. Increased taxes make it difficult for the tobacco Industry to carry out these activities, helping to protect young people from the lure of tobacco.

Increasing tobacco taxes increases in government revenue. At first glance, it may seem that the price of cigarettes has increased recently, but considering inflation, cigarettes at various price levels have become more affordable in reality. From 2019-20 to 2023-24, inflation has risen by 32%. During this period, the prices of low, high, and premium-tier cigarettes have been increased by 22%, making their real price increase negative (i.e., these cigarettes have actually become more affordable). The price of mid-tier cigarettes has risen by only 6%, making them even more accessible. As a result, cigarettes at the mid-tier level have become significantly more affordable.

Experts predict that increasing tobacco taxes would inspire over 2 million current smokers to stop smoking, save the lives of at least 6 lakh current smokers; produce an additional revenue of almost Tk 10,000 crore. Bangladesh has pledged to meet tobacco-related goals under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs. Tobacco tax increases are an economical means of achieving such goals.

Reforming the tobacco tax would also result in a significant increase in revenue that can be used to save our public health. Tobacco kills. It's time to fight back. By significantly increasing tobacco taxes, we can save lives, protect our youth, and generate vital revenue for public health. Let's prioritize health over profit and demand stronger tobacco control measures.

The writer is an Executive Director of Shastho Shurokkha Foundation and Chairman of Gavi CSOs Steering Committee and Senior Public Health Expert



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