Four citizens groups have urged the government to impose higher duties on tobacco products in the 2015-2016 budget to discourage their use.
Published : 22 May 2015, 01:47 AM
They proposed withdrawing the tax-slab system on tobacco and impose a higher specific excise tax on all tobacco products including ‘biri’ and smokeless tobacco.
Economist Abul Barkat presented the proposals at a pre-budget news conference in the capital on Thursday.
Human Development Research Centre, Pragatir Janya Gyan (Pragya), Anti Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids organised the media call.
They also proposed that health surcharge on tobacco sales be increased to two percent from one percent.
“An effective way to reduce tobacco use is to raise prices by raising tax,” Barkat said from a prepared statement.
Higher duties and proper tax management would help reduce government’s high spending on health and increase revenue collection from the sector, he said.