Photo: BSS

TANGAIL, May 3, 2025 (BSS) - A human chain was formed in the district town demanding an increase of the prices of all tobacco products and amending tobacco tax structure in the upcoming 2025–26 national budget.

The human chain programme was staged in front of the Tangail District Press Club, organised by Development Organisation of the Rural Poor-DORP, said a press release.

People from all walks of life, anti-tobacco activists, journalists, civil society members and leaders of the “Bidi” workers community joined the programme.

The programme was moderated by Rubina Islam, Program Coordinator of DORP's Tobacco Control Project.

Nazmul Haque (President of the Tangail Regional Bidi Workers’ Union), Shah Alam Mia (General Secretary), Jahangir Alam (Member), journalist Borhan Talukder, and civil society representative Nur Alam Palash spoke on the occasion.

They highlighted that nearly 90% of cigarettes sold in the market belong to the low and medium tiers, making them easily accessible and thus more likely to attract youth.

They urged the government to unify the low at medium tiers and fix the retail price at Taka 90, while setting the price for the premium tier at Taka 190.

The speakers further stated that implementing this tax and price proposal in the upcoming budget could discourage approximately 1.7 million young people from initiating smoking and potentially prevent about 870,000 premature deaths in the long term.

During the demonstration, the Bidi factory workers expressed their desire to leave this deadly profession and urged the government to provide alternative employment opportunities for them.