Doctors Call for Higher Tobacco Taxes in FY 2026-27 Budget to Prevent NCDs and Discourage Youth Smoking
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for nearly 71 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh. Tobacco use is one of the leading risk factors behind this growing burden. Public health experts warn that the low price and easy availability of tobacco products continue to encourage young people to start smoking. To reduce tobacco use among youth and prevent NCDs, doctors and public health experts have called for a significant increase in tobacco taxes and prices in the national budget for FY 2026-27.
The call was made at a seminar titled “Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Reducing the Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases”, held on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, at the National Press Club in Dhaka. The event was organized by the Platform of Medical and Dental Society with technical support from the Nat...