Public Health on Top

It is no secret that ahead of the formulation of national budget, tobacco companies try to get their hands on different trade advantages by influencing the budgetary process. Very recently, British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB), Japan Tobacco, Locally Owned Cigarette Manufacturers Association and Bangladesh Bidi Factory Owners' Association have raised their demands for the FY 2024-25 national budget in a pre-budget meeting with the National Board of Revenue (NBR). These companies also presented misleading information and arguments in favor of their demands which was also publicized in mass media. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bidi Workers' Federation has orchestrated a human chain protesting tobacco price and tax proposals of Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA). The Federation also submitted a memorandum before NBR Chairman on this issue. It should be noted that if realized, the budget proposals, placed by ATMA on behalf of anti-tobacco organizations, can help the government raise nearly a staggering BDT 10 thousand crore in additional revenue, and in the long run, will also help prevent the premature deaths of about 1.1 million Bangladeshis.
NBR must not allow itself to get carried away by the concerted disinformation campaign of tobacco companies and prioritize public health by increasing prices of tobacco products through effective taxation in the upcoming national budget. It is impossible to build a tobacco-free Bangladesh envisioned by the Honorable Prime Minister while keeping tobacco companies profitable.