Parliamentarians have urged to increase retail prices of low-, medium, high-, and premium-tier cigarettes by 33%, 19%, 15%, and 13% respectively aiming to curtail availability and affordability of those to realise the prime minister’s directives to achieve “Tobacco-free Bangladesh” by 2040.

They came up with the call at a pre-budget discussion session organised by non-government think tank Unnayan Shamannay at the Bishwa Shahitto Kendro building in Dhaka on Thursday, read a press release.

Lawmakers present at the discussion were – Shri Biren Shikder, Tarana Halim, Nazma Akhter, Jannat Ara Henry, Md Aolad Hossain, and Anima Mukti Gomes.

Bangladesh Bank’s former governor Atiur Rahman chaired the session where two professors – M Abu Eusuf and Muhammad Shahadat Hossain Siddiquee – from Dhaka University were present as expert discussants.

Unnayan Shamannay Research Director Abdullah Nadvi presented the effective cigarette taxation proposals on behalf of the think tank and other anti-tobacco civil society organisations.

Aolad Hossain and Jannat Ara put emphasis on increasing retail prices of cigarettes and imposing higher taxes on those considering the well-being of low-income people and the youth.

The linkage between reducing the use of cigarettes and attaining the SDGs and other national objectives was pointed out by Mukti Gomes and Nazma Akhter.

Tarana Halim and Biren Shikder said policymakers must prioritise safeguarding public health over getting revenue from cigarette sales.

Atiur Rahman pointed out that taxation has been established as the most effective tool to reduce the use of cigarettes and that is why the anti-tobacco civil society organisations are strongly advocating for this.

“However, to ensure that there is no sudden pressure on the government’s revenue income - effective tobacco taxation proposals have been developed with utmost caution,” the renowned economist added.

He further pointed out that if the effective taxation proposals for FY2024-25 are realised, on the one hand cigarette use will decrease by 9%, but on the other hand revenue earnings will increase by 28%.