Lawmakers propose specific taxes on tobacco products

Several members of parliament on Saturday proposed the imposition of specific taxes on all types of tobacco products to help protect public health and increase government revenue.

They came up with the proposal during a discussion programme at the Parliament Members Club, organised jointly by the Union, Dhaka University’s Bureau of Economic Research and Dhaka International University’s Tobacco Control and Service Cell.

Associate Prof SM Abdulla of Dhaka University’s Economics Department presented the key-note speech, while MP Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary of Gaibandha-1 constituency chaired the programme.

Adding that excessive price of tobacco products will discourage users from continuing their addiction, and fresh adolescents from starting, the event’s chief guest Pabna-1 lawmaker Md Samsul Haque proposed that the prices be increased by imposing specific taxes.

Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary said around 1.5 million people die from consuming tobacco products in South Asia, which is preventable.

He continued, “We have to increase tobacco taxation rate to bar users from newer types of tobacco. I demand that specific tax be imposed on tobacco products to ensure public health safety, as well as boost government revenues from the next fiscal year.

“There is no alternative to formulate a National Taxation Policy to build a tobacco free nation.”

Harun-Or-Rashid, lawmaker of Chapainawabganj-3 constituency, said, “We will not be able to achieve SDG targets unless we prevent the use of tobacco. Tobacco sellers must have to get a licence.

“I also propose creating a list of lands where tobacco is being produced and encourage growers to change their crops by providing them with incentives.”

Lawmaker Dr Habibe Millat said, “The government will go one step ahead in curbing tobacco use once it imposes specific taxes within the shortest possible time, instead of the four layers ad-valorem system.

Keynote speaker SM Abdulla said, “Tobacco products are the cheapest in Bangladesh throughout Asia. The sales of single sticks of cigarettes should be banned at shops.

Lawmaker Rana Mohammad Sohail of Nilfamari-3 also attended the discussion virtually among many others.