All should work together to ensure further effective tobacco taxation: MPs

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DHAKA, May 30, 2021 (BSS) – Members of the parliament at a pre-budget online roundtable today said that concerned stakeholders need to work together to ensure that taxes on all tobacco products are increased further effectively.

They said although tobacco taxes are being increased, but tobacco consumption is not decreasing as per the desired level because of rapid increase in household incomes.

The members of Parliament also believed that instead of going for small increases in tobacco taxes each year, a ‘big push’ is required.

They came up with such opinion at a pre-budget online roundtable session held today titled “Further Effective Tobacco Taxation: Expected Roles of Honorable Members of the Parliament during the Budget Session” organized by Unnayan Shamannay, said a press release.

Shahiduzzaman, MP; Md. Aftab Uddin Sarker, MP; Md Monowar Hossain Chowdhury, MP; Zakia Parvin Khanam, MP; Shri Biren Sikder, MP; Md. Nurul Islam Talukder, MP; Kh. Momota Hena Lovely, MP; A K M Sorwar Jahan, MP; Md. Harunur Rashid, MP; Pankaj Nath, MP (Barisal 04); and Gloria Jharna Sarker, MP, took part in the online event.

The roundtable session for the honorable Parliamentarians was moderated by eminent economist and Chair of Unnayan Shamannay Dr. Atiur Rahman.

He said that declared retail prices of all tobacco products have been recommended to be increased in the budget for FY 2021-22 while specific supplementary duties on the increased prices have also been proposed.

Dr Atiur further added that if the Parliamentarians could play effective roles to realize these proposals, then on the one hand- about two million people could be stopped from consuming tobacco and some eight million pre-mature deaths could be avoided; and on the other hand – additional Taka 3,400 crore of revenues could be generated.