Set minimum Tk 100 for per pack cigarette: Doctors

Public health experts and physicians have called for setting the minimum retail price of a 10-stick cigarette pack at Tk 100, imposing a specific supplementary tax of Tk 4 per pack, and raising the prices of high-tier and premium cigarettes to Tk 150 and Tk 200 respectively in the FY 2026-27 national budget. 

They said stronger tobacco taxation is essential to reduce tobacco use among young people and combat the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh.
The demand was raised at a seminar titled “Preventing Tobacco Use among Youth and Reducing the Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases” held on Tuesday at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
The event was organized by the Platform of Medical and Dental Society with technical support from the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh.

Speaking at the seminar, health experts noted that NCDs account for nearly 71 per cent of all deaths in Bangladesh, with tobacco use being one of the leading risk factors behind heart disease, stroke, cancer and chronic respiratory illnesses. They warned that the low price and easy accessibility of tobacco products continue to encourage smoking initiation among young people.
In his welcome address, Dr. Md. Irfanur Rahman, General Secretary of the Platform of Medical and Dental Society, underscored the importance of effective tobacco control measures. The keynote paper was presented by Dr. Muntaha Farhan, Director and Head of Human Resources of the organization.

According to the keynote presentation, approximately 37.8 million adults currently use tobacco in Bangladesh, while nearly 200,000 people die prematurely each year from tobacco-related diseases. Tobacco use among young people aged 15 to 24 stands at 10.3 per cent.
To address the issue, the presentation proposed major reforms to the cigarette tax structure in the upcoming budget. Recommendations included merging the low- and medium-tier cigarette categories and setting the retail price of a 10-stick cigarette pack at Tk 100. It also suggested imposing a specific supplementary tax of Tk 4 per pack and increasing the prices of high-tier and premium cigarettes to Tk 150 and Tk 200 respectively.

Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, described NCDs as Bangladesh’s most pressing public health challenge. He said tobacco use significantly increases the risk of developing NCDs and noted that individuals who begin smoking at a young age face greater health risks later in life.

The seminar was attended by physicians, medical students, public health professionals and journalists. The session was moderated by Dr. Aruna Sarkar, Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Program.