Raise taxes to discourage tobacco consumption

Anti-tobacco campaigners yesterday demanded an increase in tax rates on tobacco products as the proposed taxation policy for fiscal 2017-18 will keep the items within people's reach.

Tax on tobacco products such as cigarettes was not increased in accordance with last year's increased buying power of consumers, per capita income and inflation, they said.

Speakers made the observations at a press conference jointly organised by Progotir Jonno Gyan (Progga) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) in association with different anti-tobacco campaigning organisations at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

Tax on the most consumed item of them all, high-end premium brand cigarettes as well as smokeless tobacco products, will remain the same this fiscal year, they said, adding that only two percent tax increase was proposed for local low quality cigarettes in this year's budget.

Under the circumstances, tobacco products will even seem more affordable to the consumers whose buying power have increased considerably. Therefore, the government should raise taxes on these harmful products so the people are discouraged in consuming these, said the speakers. 

Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation Chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said youths slowly become addicted to various drugs after getting used to consuming tobacco products such as cigarette. However, its price was not increased according to people's affordability.

“Rather than being discouraged, the youths are being encouraged to consume tobacco due to such small price increase.”

Brig (retd) Prof Abdul Malik, founder of National Heart Foundation, said the government spends double the amount it earns from the tobacco sector for patients suffering from diseases caused by tobacco.

Advising the abolition of the current complex slabs of taxation on tobacco products, he also demanded higher taxes on the harmful products. 

Prof Rumana Haque of Dhaka University, former National Board of Revenue Member Mohammad Aminur Rahman and ATMA Convenor Liton Hayder also spoke among others.