PRESS RELEASE: Chairpersons of different Parliamentary Standing Committees have called for raising taxes on tobacco products, including low and medium-tier cigarettes, to reduce the easy availability of tobacco to protect public health. They opined that inflation and per capita income growth should be adjusted while raising the price and tax.
They made the remarks at a discussion held at the office of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Sunday (June 20). The meeting was jointly organized by National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh and Tobacco Free Bangladesh Platform.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change chaired the meeting. Chairman of the Standing Committee on Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Md. Shahiduzzaman Sarker MP, Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku MP, Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Land Md. Mokbul Hossain MP, Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Social Welfare Rashed Khan Menon MP, Rezaul Karim Bablu MP, Khodeza Nasreen Akhter Hossain MP and Khadizatul Anwar MP were present at the meeting.
In his speech, Saber Hossain Chowdhury said that 80 percent of the cigarette users in the country use low and medium tier cigarettes. Although the income of the people has increased by 9 percent, the prices of these two tiers have not been increased in the budget. On the other hand, although the price of high and premium cigarettes has been increased, it has been increased at a lower rate than inflation and income growth. This has reduced the price of harmful tobacco products in real terms, which will threaten public health.
He added that Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque had written a letter to the Finance Ministry demanding an increase in tobacco tax but it had not been fully implemented. He said the chairpersons of the parliamentary committees would also send a letter to the finance minister in this regard in line with the health ministry.
Emphasizing on protection of public health, Makbul Hossain MP said that if the availability of tobacco is reduced, its consumption will be reduced. Therefore, the prices of these harmful products have to be increased. Besides, measures have to be taken to stop the sale of tobacco products here and there. He also said that tobacco farmers should be encouraged to cultivate alternative crops.
Regarding the increase in the price of tobacco products, Shamsul Haque Tuku MP said, “As per the promise of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, tobacco must be taken out of the reach of the people from now on to ensure a tobacco free Bangladesh by 2040.”
Regarding reducing the availability of tobacco, Shahiduzzaman Sarkar MP said it is possible to control tobacco by formulating and implementing strong laws and policies.
NEWS FROM Mahamud Setu. Media Manager, Anti-tobacco Program. National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh. #
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