Public Health on Top

To mislead the budget and policymakers, Bangladesh Cigarette Manufacturers’ Association (BCMA) has been trying to observe “Smuggled Cigarette Prevention Week” by the National Board of Revenue (NBR). However, an analysis of cigarette average price of 106 countries (20 cigarettes stick pack, WHO 2014) has found that cigarettes are sold cheaper in two other countries other than Bangladesh which refers that Bangladesh is 104 in position. The question is that when the price is too low in a country, how smuggling occurs there? Based on PROGGA media monitoring data, the reports of cigarette smuggling are highlighted on mass media prior to the budget and it lasts for around three months. In the other times of the year, such reports are not available in plenty. Hope the NBR will not be misled by this propaganda and impose an effective tax and by the same time will give up the initiative to observe cigarette smuggling prevention week.
Further, the pre-budget meeting of NBR and BCMA was a show off after changing meeting date for twice, and no written proposals were submitted there. The ATMA members present there assumed that the BCMA has submitted the proposal later in a covert manner because there are examples of this organization to hold meetings or submitting the proposals secretly. An increased taxation on tobacco is the safeguard for public health. We expect that the authority will focus on formulating a strong tobacco tax policy after the directives of the Prime Minister.