At a press conference in Dhaka, physicians and public health experts called for a significant increase in tobacco product prices in Bangladesh’s upcoming 2026–27 national budget. The event, organized by the United Forum Against Tobacco and the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, emphasized that higher tobacco prices could reduce consumption, lower health risks, and prevent premature deaths linked to tobacco use.

Speakers noted that about 37.8 million adults in Bangladesh currently use tobacco, causing around 200,000 premature deaths annually. Tobacco-related diseases account for roughly 14 percent of total deaths, and the economic cost of tobacco-related health and environmental damage is estimated at 870 billion taka per year—more than double the revenue earned from the tobacco sector. The doctors proposed setting the retail price of a 10-stick cigarette pack at 100 taka for low and medium tiers, adding a 4-taka specific tax per pack, and raising prices for high and premium tiers to 150 and 200 taka respectively.

Experts argued that simplifying the complex four-tier tax structure would discourage smoking among youth and low-income groups while generating over 850 billion taka in revenue to strengthen the health sector and combat non-communicable diseases.