Smoking is a serious threat to public health
Effective taxation is necessary to restrain cigarette consumption
Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide. In Bangladesh, every year, about 161,000 people die due to the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products. It affects people regardless of age, especially lower-income people, as one-fifth of their income is spent on buying tobacco products. Apart from this, a large sum of money is spent on the treatment of diseases caused by tobacco use. The total loss we incur from cigarettes is many times greater than the revenue from cigarettes. According to statistics, in the fiscal year 2017-18, BDT 22,810 crore was received from taxation of selling tobacco products, but in the same year, the healthcare cost due to tobacco-related illness was BDT 30,560 crore.
Development coordination urges increased tobacco taxes
Excessive smoking poses a significant threat to public health in Bangladesh, with approximately 350 individuals succumbing to smoking-related causes daily. The economic toll is also substantial, with tobacco-related diseases and premature deaths resulting in a yearly financial loss of Tk 30,570 crore. Despite sustained government efforts to curb smoking, the desired outcomes have yet to materialize.
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