Young docs for higher tobacco prices to reduce youth smoking

A human chain of young doctors and public health activists on Saturday demanded significant increases in tobacco prices in next 2026-27 fiscal year budget to reduce tobacco use among youths.  

This demand was made at the human chain formed in front of the National Press Club, organised by the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh.

 Speakers said about 25 to 28 per cent of Bangladesh's population are young people, who are highly vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco. They stressed that increasing tobacco prices and taxes is one of the most effective ways to discourage smoking among youths.

Citing public health data, they said Bangladesh continues to have one of the highest tobacco consumption rates in South Asia, with about 35.3 per cent of adults using tobacco products. They added Tobacco-related diseases cause nearly 200,000 deaths annually. The speakers also claimed that the economic losses caused by tobacco-related health and environmental damage exceed the revenue generated from the tobacco sector.

They said increasing tobacco taxes is one of the most effective ways to discourage smoking, mostly among teenagers and low-income groups. They warned cheap cigarettes are encouraging more youths to start smoking.

Organisers proposed fixing the minimum retail price of a 10-stick packet of low and medium-tier cigarettes at Tk 100, high-tier cigarettes at Tk 150, and premium-tier cigarettes at Tk 200 in the upcoming budget. They also demanded a fixed supplementary duty of Tk 4 per cigarette pack.