PPRC Policy Dialogue Calls for New Narratives in Bangladesh’s Tobacco Tax Policy

The Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) hosted a national dialogue on 22 November 2025 titled “Reimagining an Effective Tobacco Tax System in Bangladesh,” bringing together economists, health experts, civil society representatives, youth voices and former policymakers to reflect on the country’s persistent tobacco burden and the urgent need for policy reform.

Bangladesh remains one of the world’s most tobacco-prevalent countries, yet cigarettes—particularly low-tier brands—continue to be sold at extremely low prices. Participants noted that despite a high reported tax incidence, the current multi-tiered structure keeps cheaper cigarettes widely accessible, encouraging smokers to simply shift across tiers rather than quit. This undermines both public health efforts and revenue potential.

Speakers highlighted longstanding structural weaknesses: under-declared production, limited monitoring, and the absence of a modern track-and-trace mechanism. Former revenue officials stressed that these enforcement gaps—not higher taxation—drive illicit trade and weaken the effectiveness of current policies. Many argued that Bangladesh must move toward a simplified, specific excise system aligned with global and regional best practices.

The dialogue also explored rising youth exposure, aggressive marketing in informal retail settings, and emerging challenges posed by e-cigarettes and vaping products. Discussions underscored the gendered and social dimensions of tobacco, including increasing rates of use among women and the disproportionate health burdens in bidi-producing regions.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman of PPRC, emphasized that reform must be anchored in a broader narrative—one that frames tobacco control not only as a technical issue but as a moral, economic and societal priority. He stressed the need for updated national data and more realistic, time-bound policy steps to secure a healthier future for the next generation.

The session ended with a shared commitment to push for a simplified, enforceable tax structure, stronger monitoring systems, and evidence-based policymaking that can meaningfully reduce tobacco consumption while strengthening public revenues.

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