To reduce tobacco use in the country and protect the future generation from the harms of tobacco, students from various universities have called for an increase in tobacco taxes and the immediate passage of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Law in the upcoming national budget for 2025-26.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, students from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh University, UITS, International University of Scholars, Dhaka International University, and others gathered in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, Dhaka, organized by the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Well-being. They participated in a student-youth rally titled “Demand for Immediate Passage of Proposed Amendment to the Tobacco Control Law and Increase in Tobacco Tax.”
During the event, they strongly emphasized the need to reduce tobacco-related deaths and consumption and demanded the prompt passage of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Law. They also called for a significant increase in tobacco taxes.
Currently, 48% of the country’s population is young, and 9.2% of the youth consume tobacco. Tobacco companies are targeting many teenagers and young people through misleading advertising and marketing. These companies are exploiting the weaknesses in the law by promoting tobacco products under the guise of product displays at sales points, which are ultimately targeting children and adolescents. This exposure to tobacco advertisements is drawing youth and minors toward tobacco use.
Furthermore, in recent years, while the prices of essential goods have surged, tobacco product prices have not increased proportionately. Bangladesh’s tax rate on tobacco products is significantly lower than that in neighboring countries. The minimal annual price hikes in tobacco products are unlikely to discourage the poor and young population from smoking. On the other hand, when prices rise, consumers often switch to cheaper alternatives, resulting in a rise in the use of inexpensive cigarettes, which significantly increases health risks. Therefore, the youth are urging the government to increase the tax on tobacco products effectively in the 2025-26 fiscal year’s budget.
Currently, 39.1% of individuals over the age of 15 in Bangladesh are smokers, and 7.5% of children also smoke. To protect this large population, strengthening the tobacco control law is crucial. The harmful effects of tobacco on adolescents and young adults are particularly severe. High tobacco taxes will help deter youth from smoking and prevent early deaths from tobacco use.
Hence, to safeguard public health, protect the youth from the harmful effects of tobacco, and work towards a tobacco-free Bangladesh, the students are urging all relevant stakeholders to take prompt action to ensure the swift passage of the proposed tobacco control law amendment and the effective increase of tobacco taxes.