Bangladesh is the fifth largest tobacco-consuming country in the world. Therefore, tobacco control is a major hurdle in the way of inclusive and sustainable development in the country, top NGO leaders said at a roundtable.
As pivotal stakeholders of Bangladesh’s developmental journey, national and international NGOs operating in the country must work together to ensure desired tobacco control outcomes, they said.
They made the remarks at a roundtable session titled “Tobacco Control for Safeguarding Public Health,” according to a media release.
The session was organized by the non-government think tank Unnayan Shamannay at the Bishwo Sahitto Kendro Bhaban, Dhaka, where the organization’s Head of Program- Shaheen Ul Alam moderated the discussion.
While presenting the context paper for the roundtable discussion, Unnayan Shamannay’s Research Director- Abdullah Nadvi pointed out that over the last three fiscal years, prices of daily commodities such as rice, lentils, oil, and sugar have risen by 9 to 84 per cent.
However, over the same period, cigarette prices have risen by only 7 per cent. As a result, cigarettes have become increasingly affordable in Bangladesh.
Dr. Shafiun Nahin Shimu, a professor of the Institute of Health Economics, Dhaka University added that the National Board of Revenue has opted to raise both prices of and taxes on all cigarettes in the middle of the fiscal year, mainly with the intention of generating more revenue.
This middle-of-the-fiscal-year decision by the NBR proves that imposing higher taxes on cigarettes is not at all likely to result in the reduction of taxes received by the government from selling cigarettes.
If the NBR had taken such decisions at the beginning of the fiscal year, further beneficial outcomes could have been ensured, said Aminur Rasul (Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan).
He further added that upon considering the negative impacts of cigarette production on the environment, policymakers should go for imposing higher taxes on cigarettes.
Tony Michael Gomes (Advocacy Director, Care Bangladesh) pointed out that raising the prices of cigarettes and imposing higher taxes on those raised prices have been proven to be the most effective measures to reduce tobacco consumption.
At the same time, to safeguard future generations and non-smokers from the hazards of tobacco, the existing tobacco control law must be further strengthened and effectively implemented.
World Vision Bangladesh’s Senior Director Chandan Z. Gomes also emphasized strengthening the tobacco control legislation and said the amendment to the existing tobacco control law proposed by the Ministry of Health has many provisions, such as banning designated smoking areas and banning e-cigarettes, which are much desired and relevant.
He also urged the national and international NGOs to take initiatives to discourage smoking in their working areas across the country.
Other discussants at the event were Action Aid Bangladesh’s Head of Programs Kazi Morshed Alam, Save the Children’s Senior Advisor Belal Uddin, Concern Worldwide’s Advocacy Advisor- Nabinur Rahman, UNDP Bangladesh’s Senior Advisor- S. M. Monjur Rashid, Kapaeeng Foundation’s Program Manager Uzzal Azim, and ALRD’s Executive Director Shamsul Huda.
CTFK Bangladesh’s Lead Policy Advisor and former Chairman, BCIC Md. Mostafizur Rahman delivered the vote of thanks.
Financial Express News Link: Development stakeholders must work together for tobacco control: NGO leaders