Experts said this today (19 June 2026, Thursday) during a post-budget press conference organized by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA).

Citing the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), PROGGA and ATMA informed that the Per Capita Income (provisional) of the people has increased by about 11.5 in the last one year. This suggests that keeping prices unchanged will only make cigarettes more affordable and particularly encourage the youth to light up.

The proposed budget has kept the prices of bidi unchanged for the 6th consecutive time. The supplementary duty on bidi has also remained the same for the 10th consecutive time. This will make bidi business more profitable. As the prices of and taxes on smokeless tobacco, i.e., jarda and gul, remain unchanged, the affordability of these deadly products will spike, putting the poor and the women, the majority consumer of these products, under greater health threat.

According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), in the span of one year, prices of essential products have seen a considerable hike. The average price of soyabean oil (loose) has increased by 11.67 percent, miniket rice by 13.57 percent, writing paper (white) by 7.69 percent, rui fish by 7.35 percent and egg by 3.66 percent. In contrast, the prices of tobacco products remain unchanged in the proposed budget, which, once again, make cigarettes and other tobacco products cheaper, when compared to essential commodities.

During the event, Syed Yusuf Saadat, Research Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said, “Since the prices of low and medium tiers are too close, it allows consumers to choose between one of the tiers. As a result, the effectiveness of any tax and price measures is not working properly. The low and medium tiers should be merged and the number of tiers should be reduced to 03 (three) from existing 04 (four).”

The tax and pricing proposals for FY 2025-26 final budget presented during the event are as follows: The low and medium tiers should be merged into one and prices for 10 sticks of the merged tier should be set at BDT 90. The retail price of high-tier cigarettes should be kept at existing BDT 140 for 10 sticks. The prices for 10 sticks of premium cigarettes should be raised to BDT 190. The supplementary duty (SD) on all cigarette tiers should be the existing 67 percent.

For non-filtered bidi, the retail price should be BDT 25 for 25 sticks. In the case of filtered bidi, the retail price for 20 sticks should be set at BDT 20. Both prices should be followed by a 45 percent SD. Regarding smokeless tobacco, the retail price for 10 grams of jarda and gul should be BDT 55 and BDT 30, followed by 60 percent SD. The budget proposals also suggest retaining 15 percent VAT on the retail prices of tobacco products and continuing the existing 1 percent health development surcharge (HDS).

In support of the proposals, speakers informed that budget proposals placed by anti-tobacco activists, if realized, can help the government raise a staggering BDT 20,000 crore in additional revenue, which will come in handy in reaching revenue targets and improving public health. Implementation of such proposals, in the long run, will also help prevent the premature deaths of 1.7 million Bangladeshis, including nearly 900,000 youths.

The discussants in the workshop include Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener, ATMA; Mizan Chowdhury, Co-convener, ATMA; ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA, and representatives of different anti-tobacco organizations. Ms. Nadira Kiron, co-convener, ATMA hosted the event whereas Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programs, PROGGA presented budget analysis and demands.

It was informed at the workshop that marketing edible oil without Vitamin ‘A’ fortification is a punishable offense according to the Vitamin ‘A’ Enrichment in Edible Oils Act, 2013. However, the general people are being deprived of the benefits of this act as most of the edible oil marketed in drums is not vitamin ‘A’-fortified. According to a study conducted by icddr,b in 2017, 65% of the total edible oil sold in Bangladesh is marketed in drums, of which, 59% does not contain Vitamin ‘A’ and 34% is poorly Vitamin ‘A’-fortified. Only 7% of the bulk oil sold in drums meets the standard as per the law.

Speakers said that bulk edible oil is distributed using drums that are manufactured with non-food-graded materials and are used for storing chemicals, lubricant/Mobil, or other products. Moreover, loose oil sold in unhealthy and unclean drums poses a serious threat to health. The repeated use of non-food grade plastic drums can lead to edible oil contamination. Bulk edible oil sold in drums has high chances of adulteration. Besides, these drums do not contain any label or required information about the source, which compromises the traceability of the oil supplier and makes it impossible to identify the perpetrators.

Although an executive order was issued to phase out bulk soybean oil sold in drums by July 2022 and bulk palm oil sold in drums by December 2022, this order is yet to be effectively implemented. The Ministry of Industries, BSTI, the Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), and other relevant authorities have been urged to work together to ensure consumer access to safe edible oil.

Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency causes physiological issues that include blindness, maternal death during pregnancy, etc. On the other hand, Vitamin ‘D’ deficiency causes rickets, leads to a loss of bone density and increases the chances of developing heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Fortification of edible oil with Vitamin ‘A’ and Vitamin ‘D’ can be a cost-effective approach in this regard as people will simultaneously get the vitamins ‘A’ and ‘D’ from their daily edible oil intake.

Fakir Muhammad Munawar Hossain, Director (Operation & Laboratory), Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection; Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of Epidemiology & Research Department, National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute; Ashek Mahfuz, Portfolio Lead for Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) and Value Chain, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN); Mir Masrur Zaman, Senior News Editor, Channel i and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA were present at the event as discussants. The key presentations were delivered by Abu Ahmed Shamim, Associate Scientist, James P Grant School of Public Health; Mustak Hassan Md. Iftekhar (former Additional Secretary), Consultant, Dr. Rina Rani Paul, Program Manager, Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) Country Advocacy Bangladesh, National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute and Md Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programs, PROGGA.

In their discussion, they highlighted on the existing relations between Bangladesh and European Union and highlighted their cooperation in the CHT in environment and livelihood development. They discussed on future cooperation in CHT in various sectors.

While welcoming to European Union (EU) team the Adviser highlighted on Interim Govt. objectives and it’s reform policy to eliminate all form of discriminations and uplift human rights on for all which will be based on equality and justice. H.E. EU Ambassador reaffirmed the EU’s strong support for the interim government’s reform ambition, highlightings the importance of the rule of law and human rights. EU Ambassador Mr. Miller also referred to next week’s EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission, which will provide an opportunity to exchange views on all areas of cooperation between the EU and Bangladesh.

Highlighting his relentless afford to build a harmonious society to bring change in socio-economic, health, education and cultural development for every individual in CHT, the Adviser hoped for European Union’s cooperations to see a harmonious and developed CHT. He mentioned CHT’s massive potential in horticulture, agriculture, fisheries, eco-tourism but with pre-condition of good governance, a harmonious society based on justice and equality and at time with affirmative action to uplift backward communities of the hill. He recommended for further cooperations in quality education, livelihood development, health and especially on environment to the visiting team.

The Adviser was accompanied by Secretary Mr. A K M Shamimul Huq Siddique, Additional Secretary Mr. Aminul Islam, Joint Secretary Mr. Kongkan Chakma, PS to honorable Adviser (DS) Mr. Khandakar Mushfiqur Rahman, EU-Resilient Livelihoods Program Manager Ms. Meher Nigar Bhuiyan and others.

It was informed at the workshop that one in every four adults in Bangladesh suffers from hypertension and it is one of the major risk factors for various non-communicable diseases including heart diseases, stroke, cancer, kidney diseases, respiratory diseases and diabetes. Ensuring the availability of anti-hypertensive medicine at the grassroots level along with increased allocation to effectively address hypertension can prevent heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives. Research shows that investing Tk 1 for hypertension screening and medicines can yield an overall benefit worth Tk 18.

Dr. Md. Quiume Talukder, Line Director (CBHC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said at the workshop, “We have already taken the initiative to provide anti-hypertensive medicines from the Community Clinics of two-thirds of the Upazilas across the country.”

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, Rashada Akter Shimul, Senior News Editor of Ekhon TV and ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA were also present at the event as discussants. PROGGA’s Director Md. Shahedul Alam and Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova delivered presentations on hypertension control.

The USA team expressed their appreciations for the meeting. In their discussion, they highlighted on the existing relation between Bangladesh and USA and highlighted their cooperation in the CHT in livelihood development and environment. In the field of environment and livelihood development. Among others, they discussed on future cooperation in CHT and also raised of the recent unfortunate communal violence in CHT during 18-20 September 2024, human rights situation and other issues.

While welcoming to USA embassy team the Adviser highlighted on Interim Govt. objectives that is being realized by the recent upsurge of the student movement. He emphasized on current reform policy of the Interim Government to eliminate all form of discrimination and encouraging human rights protection for all which will be based on equality and justice.

The Adviser highlighted on his relentless afford to build a harmonious society to bring change in socio-economic, health, education and cultural development for every individual in CHT. Replying to USA embassy team, the Adviser hopes to see a CHT whose society will be at par in social indicators as in other part of Bangladesh in future. Indicating the prosperous CHT, he mentioned that it has massive potential in horticulture, agriculture, fisheries, eco-tourism but with pre-condition of good governance, harmonious society with justice and equality and at time with affirmative action to uplift backward communities of the hill. He recommended for further cooperations in quality education, livelihood development, health and especially on environment to the visiting team.

It was informed during the event that the concept of ‘health’ is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. While ‘healthcare system’, as a concept, generally comprises five different aspects, namely (a) health promotion, (b) disease prevention and safety, (c) treatment, (d) rehabilitation and (e) palliative, the ‘treatment’ aspect traditionally gets most of the attention.

According to WHO, ‘Health Promotion’ is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. For instance, creating a conducive environment that encourages people who are overweight and following a sedentary lifestyle to engage in full-body sweat workouts for at least half an hour a day, pushes them to avoid extra fat-salt-sugar; motivates them to quit tobacco and alcohol, can be considered as a ‘Health Promotion’ activity. However, it is quite impossible to tackle the burgeoning burden of NCDs by the Health Ministry alone. WHO has emphasized adopting and implementing a coordinated action that requires involvement of both the government and non-government stakeholders. A total of 11 countries including Australia, Thailand, and Singapore, have already made remarkable progress in reducing the risk factors of NCDs by adopting and implementing health promotion programs.

The chief guest of the event, eminent economist Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, “Bangladesh earns nearly BDT 300 crore a year from Health Development Surcharge (HDS). This sum was supposed to be spent on health development programs. Establishing an independent body for health promotion initiative and spending such massive amount through the entity would surely benefit both the people and the government.

Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, Director General of Health Economics Unit said, “The government is implementing different health promotion activities. A coordinated measure is necessary for sustainable development of health sector.”

According to a WHO study, in 2020, the current out-of-pocket expenditure (OPP) in Bangladesh is almost 74 percent and two-thirds of the amount is spent on medication. Prioritizing and strengthening disease prevention through health promotion programs would slash the out-of-pocket expense and reduce diseases, deaths and the burden on our healthcare system.

Among the discussants at the event were Gaous Pearee, Director, Work for Better Bangladesh (WBB), Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener, Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), Nadira Kiron and Mizan Chowdhury, both Co-conveners, ATMA, and ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA. The key findings were presented by Mr. Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programs, PROGGA.

During the meeting, it was informed that currently (as per 2017 WHO report) the prevalence of tobacco use among the adult population (15 y/o and above) stands at 35.3 percent, which is quite concerning. Realizing the extent of tobacco’s devastating impact, the Honorable Prime Minister voiced her commitment to build a tobacco-free country by 2040 and accordingly provided the directive to bring time-fitting changes to the tobacco control law. The ongoing amendment process of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act 2013 has been taken as a step towards realizing the HPM’s directive. Some of the proposals included in the draft amendment are eliminating Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs) in all public places and public transports, banning the display of tobacco products, banning so-called corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs of tobacco companies, banning the sale of loose tobacco products, banning the production, import and sale of e-cigarettes and other vaping products and increasing the area allotted for graphic health warning (GHW) to 90 percent from existing 50 percent.

The attendees of the meeting with the Honorable Health Minister include Mr. Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Senior Journalist, Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener of ATMA, Mizan Chowdhury, Co-Convenor of ATMA, Mr. MD. Abdus Salam Mia, Bangladesh Program Manager, Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids (CTFK), Mr. ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA, and Md. Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programs, PROGGA.

During the meeting, Hon. Minister expressed his firm commitment that Bangladesh is going to play an active role in banning cigarette filters and vaporizers, classifying cigarette filters as hazardous plastic waste, and curbing tobacco Industry’s ill tactics regarding Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) during the upcoming 4th Conference of Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC) scheduled on 23-29 April 2024 in Canada.

It should be noted that WHO has recommended an immediate ban on cigarette filters and vaporizers as they are unnecessary, avoidable and problematic, single-use plastics that are widely spread in the environment, killing microorganisms and marine life, as well as polluting oceans.

The Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set her goal to transform Bangladesh into a tobacco-free country by 2040. The Environment Minister hoped that coordinated efforts of the Health Ministry and the Environment Ministry will help in the realization of this goal.

Participants of the meeting included Mohammad Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, Joint Secretary and National Focal Person, Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee on Plastic Pollution, Sukanata Gupta Alak, Senior Journalist, Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener, ATMA, Nadira Kiron, Co-Convener, ATMA and ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA. Md. Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programs, PROGGA has presented key talking points.

The prices of tobacco products in Bangladesh are considerably low. Furthermore, compared to the prices of essential commodities, it is evident that these deadly products are getting even cheaper. Such growing affordability is particularly alluring for the youth and the poor which is undoubtedly an ominous sign for our public health. An analysis of the average retail prices of essential commodities in 07 metropolitan cities of the country (Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barisal and Rangpur) between 04 July 2021 and 04 July 2023, as reported by the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM), shows that price of loose sugar has seen a 89 percent hike in this time period, the hike is 87 percent for potatoes, 75 percent for loose flour, 47 percent for pangash fish, 43 percent for eggs, 34 percent for soybean oil, 30 percent for powdered milk, and 27 percent for broiler chicken. However, during this same timeframe, the hike in the prices of different tiers of cigarettes ranged between 6 -15 percent only.

The NBR Chairman said at the pre-budget meeting, “We will increase the prices of tobacco products in the upcoming budget for FY 2024-25. We are also considering the replacement of the current ad valorem tobacco tax structure with a specific tax system.”

Senior Journalist Sukanta Gupta Alok, Mortuza Haider Liton, Convenor, ATMA, Nadira Kiron and Mizan Chowdhury, both Co-convenor of ATMA, Mir Mashrur Zaman Rony, Senior News Editor of Channel I and Doulat Akter Mala, Special Correspondent, the Financial Express participated in the event which was also attended by NBR officials

During the pre-budget meeting, ATMA urged policymakers to hike the retail price of low-tier cigarettes to BDT 60 for 10 sticks, followed by a 63 percent supplementary duty (SD). The prices of 10 sticks should be set at BDT 75, 125 and 165 for medium, high and premium tiers respectively. The prices should be followed by a 65 percent SD.

As per the proposal presented by ATMA, for non-filtered bidi, the retail price should be BDT 25 for 25 sticks. In the case of filtered bidi, the retail price for 20 sticks should be set at BDT 20. Both prices should be followed by a 45 percent SD. Regarding smokeless tobacco, the retail price for 10 grams of jarda and gul should be BDT 55 and BDT 30, followed by 60 percent SD. The budget proposals also suggest retaining 15 percent VAT on the retail prices of tobacco products and continuing the existing 1 percent health development surcharge (HDS).

It should be noted that 37.8 million adults in Bangladesh use tobacco products (smoked and smokeless). Tobacco claims 161,000 lives every year in Bangladesh. In 2017-18, the toll of tobacco use in the national economy (due to medical expenses and loss of productivity) stood at BDT 30,560 crore.

The prevalence of tobacco use has reached an alarming level in Bangladesh, with 37.8 million adults currently using tobacco products and 38.4 million people facing exposure to second-hand smoke at work, transports and other public places on a regular basis. Tobacco claims about 161,000 lives every year in Bangladesh. Tobacco use is a major risk factor for heart diseases and stroke. It is also responsible for causing about 20 types of cancers, including cancers of oral cavity, lung and esophagus. Bangladesh is the first country to sign the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). In addition, Article 18(1) of the Constitution bestows responsibility of the promotion and protection of public health upon the State. Article 32 of the Constitution also ensures the right to life. Moreover, the Honorable Prime Minister has voiced her commitment to build a tobacco-free country by 2040 and to realize her commitment, the tobacco law amendment process is currently underway under the initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

Considering the circumstance, it would be a significantly positive milestone if all candidates of the ongoing 12th national parliamentary election campaign, for the sake of public health, pledges not to use distribute and use tobacco products The anti-tobacco organizations mentioned in their statement that this decision will also serve as a crucial step towards achieving a tobacco-free Bangladesh.

The organizations that have jointly issued the statement are PROGGA, WBB Trust, National Heart Foundation, Aid Foundation, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, DORP, DAS, MANAS, Unnayan Shamannay, BER, Grambangla Unnayan Committee, TCRC, BCCP, Nari Maitree and Shastho Shurokkha Foundation.