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In the last six years, there is no progress in implementation of the Prime Minister’s directive about imposing simple tobacco tax structure which is causing threat to public health and increasing tobacco consumption in the country, said experts.
The experts came up with the statement speaking at a virtual roundtable meeting titled “PM’ Directive for Simplified and Strong Tobacco Tax Policy: Impediments and Way Forward”, jointly organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) on Tuesday.
Lawmakers, economists, journalists, and public health experts participated in the programme.
In 2016, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave a directive to simplify the existing tobacco tax structure and adopt a strong tobacco tax policy.
The lack of effective tobacco tax measures has rendered tobacco products more and more affordable over the years, the speakers said at the virtual event adding that this has put public health under threat and cause the government’s revenue losses.
Speaking at the event, convener of the National Anti-Tobacco Platform Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said, “The Prime Minister has given directives for a simple tobacco tax structure. It is the duty of the government machinery to follow any directive provided by the Prime Minister and those who are responsible for taking that lightly must be held accountable.”
Professor Dr. Habibe Millat MP said that, “The members of the parliament used to issue DOs against raising tobacco taxes in the past, but currently they are issuing DOs in favour of raising tobacco taxes. We look forward to seeing the NBR and the Ministry of Finance take positive actions this time.”
Dr. Nasir Uddin Ahmed, former Chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR), said, “The ministries of Health and Finance need to be on the same page with regard to raising tobacco taxes. It will be much more fruitful if the MoHFW calls for meetings with the MoF to place this proposition on tobacco taxes.”
Hossain Ali Khondoker, Coordinator of National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC), journalist Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Dr. Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director of BIISS, Syed Yusuf Saadat, Research Fellow of Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Lead Policy Advisor for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), Bangladesh, Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, former Coordinator of the NTCC and Prof. Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury, Head of Epidemiology and Research at National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh and ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA joined the event among others.
(DS)
