Alam for innovative social mobilization to curb smoking among youth

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today underlined the need for innovative social mobilization to refrain youth from smoking as he observed raising tobacco prices alone is not enough to curb the menace.

He said while addressing a session of workshop jointly organized by Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) and the Development Organization of the Rural Poor (DORP) at the ERF auditorium here.

The workshop focused on increasing tobacco taxes in budgetary allocation for Fiscal 2025-26 to discourage smoking.

Presenting the keynote paper, DORP Deputy Director Mohammad Zobair Hasan proposed setting a minimum price of Taka 9 per cigarette stick to deter smoking among lower and middle-income groups.

He pointed out that in the past three fiscal years, the multi-tiered ad valorem tax system has only led to a 7.3pc increase in cigarette prices, which is minimal compared to the rising costs of essential goods. As a result, cigarette sales have grown by 4pc annually, instead of declining.

The presentation recommended merging the lower and middle-tier categories into a new pricing structure, setting a minimum price of Tk9 per stick in the 2025-26 fiscal year to strengthen tobacco control measures.

The discussion highlighted the need for policy reforms and awareness campaigns to protect public health and reduce smoking rates, particularly among the youth.