Students from various universities today gathered in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh. Photo Collected

 DHAKA, Feb 12, 2025 (BSS) - Students from various universities today called for increasing taxes on tobacco in the upcoming national budget for 2025-‘26 to reduce tobacco use in the country and protect the future generation from the harmful effects of tobacco.

They also called for immediate passage of proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Law to this end.

Students from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh University, UITS, International University of Scholars, Dhaka International University and others today gathered in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh in the city to press home their demands, said a press release.

They participated in a student-youth rally styled "Demand for Immediate Passage of Proposed Amendment to the Tobacco Control Law and Increasing taxes on tobacco." Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Well-being organised the event. 

According to sources, currently, 48 percent of the country's population is young, and 9.2 percent of the youth consume tobacco. Tobacco companies are targeting many teenagers and young people through misleading advertising and marketing. 

These companies are exploiting the weaknesses in the law by promoting tobacco products under the guise of product displays at sales points, which are ultimately targeting children and adolescents, they said adding this exposure to tobacco advertisements is attracting the youth and minors toward tobacco use.

In recent years, while the prices of essential goods have surged, tobacco product prices have not increased proportionately, they observed.

Bangladesh's tax rate on tobacco products is significantly lower than that in neighboring countries. The minimal annual price hikes in tobacco products are unlikely to discourage the poor and young population from smoking. 

On the other hand, when prices rise, consumers often switch to cheaper alternatives, resulting in a rise in the use of inexpensive cigarettes, which significantly increases health risks, experts opined. 

Therefore, the youth are urging the government to increase the tax on tobacco products effectively in the 2025-26 fiscal years’ budget.

Currently, 39.1 percent of individuals over the age of 15 in Bangladesh are smokers, and 7.5 percent of children also smoke. 

“To protect this large population, strengthening the tobacco control law is crucial. The harmful effects of tobacco on adolescents and young adults are particularly severe. High tobacco taxes will help deter youth from smoking and prevent early deaths from tobacco use,” sources added.