Raise tobacco tax
The 'Star Business' report on the matter published on 8 June is welcome news, particularly for non-smokers. The tax should be raised sufficiently, so as to discourage people from smoking, as well curtailing the amount of their indulgence. Additionally, since all public places are non-smoking areas, this must be rigidly enforced, with exemplary punishment for those caught smoking there. A severe punishment for this civic offence, can be passed as a law by parliament and a minimum, on the spot, fine of say Tk.1000 (one thousand) at least, should be imposed for this offence.
Second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke is very injurious to health, particularly for non-smokers and children. Curtailing smoking will indirectly reduce the cost of public healthcare and improve child health.
Against their desire, non-smokers and children are forced by circumstances beyond their control, to inhale tobacco smoke, against which their resistance to infection is naturally low. Smokers, develop a built in resistance, because of their continuous habit of indulgence. Their bodily system develops some immunity to an extent, against cough and other minor chest irritations. However, their respiratory system and lungs are affected sooner or later, during post-adult age.
A strong anti-smoking lobby should be created by citizens. The government should also publicise the dangers of smoking by continuous awareness creation, through out the country, mobilizing all print and audiovisual media in the national interest!
The loss in taxation revenue from reduced tobacco usage can be compensated by increasing the registration fees for deed of transfer for houses, apartments and motor vehicles and other tangible movable or immovable assets, excluding fallow land over Tk. 1 lakh in value. This is needed for overall national health and well being.
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