If the government’s justification for allowing e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products is revenue, why is it simultaneously cutting the taxes that could generate that revenue? That is the question the government needs to answer. Bangladesh appears to be taking a significant policy U-turn on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and nicotine pouches. Products that were […]
The government has increased the price of low-tier cigarettes again, raising the maximum retail price (MRP) for a 10-stick pack to Tk 65 from Tk 62. The latest increase is Tk 3, or 4.84 percent, from the price set earlier this year. Compared with the Tk 60 MRP set in the FY 2026–27 budget, the […]
he National Board of Revenue (NBR) has accused British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BAT) of evading approximately Tk 80.31 million in VAT, supplementary duty, and surcharge by selling 16.7 million cigarette packs stockpiled before the 2026–27 budget at higher post-budget prices. The NBR’s Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) found that cigarettes stored before the June 11 budget […]
For the first time, the Prime Minister’s Office has directly sought documents over alleged Tk1 billion in tax evasion by British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Limited (BAT Bangladesh), giving the issue significant national attention. The move sends a strong and positive message about transparency, accountability, revenue protection and stricter tax compliance in Bangladesh’s tobacco sector. […]
BDT 2,023 crore, this is not merely a figure from the past; it represents the amount of revenue allegedly evaded by the multinational cigarette company British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) in a single year. Yes, BDT 2,023 crore (BDT 20.23 billion) this is the amount of revenue allegedly evaded by BAT Bangladesh in 2016 in […]
‘২০২৬–২৭ অর্থবছরের জাতীয় বাজেটকে ঘিরে সিগারেটের দাম বৃদ্ধি, তামাকজাত পণ্যের কর কাঠামো এবং এর প্রভাব নিয়ে ব্যাপক আলোচনা চলছে। সম্প্রতি আমার ফেসবুক পেজ ও ইউটিউব চ্যানেলে এ বিষয়ে যে বিশ্লেষণ ও পর্যবেক্ষণ তুলে ধরেছি, তার সংক্ষিপ্তসার এখানে উপস্থাপন করা হলো।’ জাতীয় সংসদে আগামী ১১ জুন ২০২৬ বৃহস্পতিবার জাতীয় বাজেট উপস্থাপন করা হবে। এটি বিএনপি সরকারের […]
Today, May 31, marks World No Tobacco Day, an annual observance dedicated to advancing public health and reducing the global burden of tobacco-related disease. The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2026 is “Unmask the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.” At its core, the theme calls for exposing the tobacco industry’s business model, […]
Bangladesh has pledged to become a tobacco-free country by 2040. However, the reality is that most discussions on tobacco control remain limited to increasing cigarette taxes, placing warning labels on packages, or conducting anti-smoking campaigns. Comparatively little attention is paid to tobacco cultivation, which is the very first stage of the tobacco supply chain. Yet […]
In Bangladesh, while the amount of cultivable land is decreasing, soil fertility and organic matter levels are also declining at an alarming rate. Experts say excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is damaging soil health. They warn that if this situation continues, sustaining agricultural production in the long term will become a major challenge. […]
সিগারেটের কর কাঠামো, নিম্ন ও মধ্যম স্তর একীভূত করার প্রস্তাব এবং আসন্ন বাজেটে কী ধরনের পদক্ষেপ নেওয়া যেতে পারে—এই বিষয়ে দেশকাল নিউজে আমার মতামতসহ অন্যান্যদের মতামত প্রকাশিত হয়েছে। এখানে আমি বিষয়টি আরও বিস্তারিতভাবে ব্যাখ্যা করছি এবং আমার অবস্থান তুলে ধরছি। বাংলাদেশে সিগারেটের নিম্ন স্তর ও মধ্যম স্তর একীভূত করে একটি স্তর করার প্রস্তাব নিয়ে তামাক […]
Regarding the cigarette tax structure, the proposal to merge the low and medium tiers, and the kinds of measures that could be included in the upcoming budget, Deshkal News recently published my views alongside those of others. Here, I am further elaborating on the issue and presenting my detailed views. Regarding the proposal to merge […]
For the second time, I had the opportunity to exchange views on tobacco taxation with Dr. Guillermo A. Sandoval, Technical Officer (Fiscal Policies for Health), Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva. We also held detailed discussions on the proposed tobacco tax structure for the upcoming fiscal year 2025–26. Journalists […]
দ্বিতীয়বারের মতো তামাক কর কাঠামো বিষয়ক অভিজ্ঞতা বিনিময়ের সুযোগ হয়েছে বিশ্ব স্বাস্থ্য সংস্থা (ডব্লিউএইচও), জেনেভার টেকনিক্যাল অফিসার (Fiscal Policies for Health), ডিপার্টমেন্ট অব হেলথ ডিটারমিন্যান্টস, প্রমোশন অ্যান্ড প্রিভেনশন-এর কর্মকর্তা ড. গুইলারমো এ. সানডোভাল-এর সঙ্গে। আগামী ২০২৫–২৬ অর্থবছরের প্রস্তাবিত তামাক কর কাঠামো নিয়েও আমরা—বাংলাদেশে তামাক কর নিয়ে কাজ করা সাংবাদিক ও তামাক নিয়ন্ত্রণ সংগঠনের প্রতিনিধিরা—বিস্তারিত মতবিনিময় […]
Within a single year, the net profit of cigarette company BAT Bangladesh declined by 67 percent, amounting to a decrease of approximately BDT 11.67 billion. In 2025, its after-tax net profit stood at BDT 5.84 billion. This serves as a notable example of how increased taxation for public health protection can impact economic outcomes, as […]
এক বছরে সিগারেট কোম্পানি বিএটি বাংলাদেশের নিট মুনাফা ৬৭ শতাংশ কমেছে, টাকার অংকে যার পরিমাণ প্রায় ১১৬৭ কোটি টাকা। ২০২৫ সালে তাদের কর-পরবর্তী নিট মুনাফা কমে দাঁড়িয়েছে ৫৮৪ কোটি টাকা। এটি জনস্বাস্থ্য সুরক্ষায় কর বৃদ্ধির প্রভাব অর্থনীতিতে কীভাবে প্রতিফলিত হতে পারে, সদ্য প্রকাশিত বিএটিবি’র আর্থিক প্রতিবেদনে তার একটি উল্লেখযোগ্য উদাহরণ। গত দুই বছরে দুই দফায় […]
Under the pretext of increasing revenue, the government has opened up the production, marketing, and supply of e-cigarettes and vapes, which pose a serious threat to public health. By turning the Tobacco Control Amendment Ordinance passed during the previous interim government into law, while removing the provision that banned e-cigarettes, the government has taken a […]
After nearly one and a half years of delay, the outgoing interim government of Bangladesh passed the amendment to the Tobacco Control Act 2005 in the form of an ordinance, in which the use, production, and marketing of all types of e-cigarettes were banned. The ruling BNP government has now taken an initiative to turn […]
The current government is to turn the anti-tobacco ordinance, approved during the previous interim administration, into law. However, it is reportedly trying to do so by strategically removing the provision that bans the import, production, and sale of all types of e-cigarettes. This move poses a serious threat to public health, in my view. I […]
গবেষণা সংস্থা পিপিআরসি আয়োজিত সাংবাদিক ও তামাক নিয়ন্ত্রণ কর্মীদের জন্য আয়োজনকৃত প্যানেল আলোচনায় অংশগ্রহণ করি ১২ মার্চ। এই আলোচনায় আমি তুলে ধরেছি, কীভাবে তামাক চাষ ও তামাক শিল্পের কর ফাঁকি কার্যকর তামাক নিয়ন্ত্রণের সঙ্গে সরাসরি যুক্ত। তামাক নিয়ন্ত্রণ গবেষক ও সাংবাদিক হিসেবে, তিনজন প্যানেলিস্টের একজন হিসেবে এই তামাক কর বিষয়ক সাংবাদিকদের ওরিয়েন্টেশন প্রোগ্রামে অংশ নিতে […]
Being a tobacco control researcher and journalist, it was my honor and pleasure to join the orientation program as a panelist alongside three other experts. On 12 March, I participated in a panel discussion organized by PPRC for journalists and tobacco control advocates, where I highlighted how tobacco cultivation and tax evasion by the tobacco […]
At a webinar titled “Impact of a Strong Tobacco Control Law on the National Economy,” experts called for the rapid conversion of the tobacco control ordinance into a full law in Bangladesh to protect public health and strengthen the national economy. The webinar was organized by the Bangladesh Network for Tobacco Tax Policy (BNTTP) on […]
British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BAT Bangladesh) is facing scrutiny for allegedly evading BDT 2.51 billion in VAT on tobacco leaf purchases during 2022–2023. The company claimed that 5.2 million kilograms of tobacco leaves were lost during processing, but the National Board of Revenue (NBR) found this explanation unconvincing. An audit conducted by the Large Taxpayer […]
Dhaka, Feb 17, 2026 — Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman was sworn in on Monday as the country’s 11th Prime Minister, following his party’s landslide victory in last week’s parliamentary elections. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament complex, where 25 cabinet ministers and 25 state ministers […]
Corruption has increased both globally and in Bangladesh over the past year, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 released by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). The report ranks Bangladesh 13th among the world’s most corrupt countries, down from 14th last year, underscoring a continued deterioration in governance and institutional integrity. The CPI, which assesses […]
In Bangladesh, I believe that the first and most crucial step toward regulating water transport, terminals, and ports is to completely ban the sale and use of tobacco products in launch and ferry canteens. At the same time, public awareness must be strengthened by increasing the number of warning signages and by conducting regular announcements […]
The National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) of Bangladesh organized a consultation meeting on the implementation of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Control (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 on 27 January 2026, Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Saidur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Chief Guest was Ms. Nurjahan Begum, Adviser to the Ministry […]
Following the President’s approval, the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 was published in the gazette within six days of its approval. Issued by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of Bangladesh on 30 December 2025, the amended ordinance came into immediate effect on the same day. The ordinance introduces […]
Nicotine Pouch Included Under the Definition of “Tobacco Products” Sushanta k singha: Dhaka, 24 December 2025: Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of cancer and other non-communicable diseases. Every year, more than 130,000 people in Bangladesh die prematurely due to tobacco-related illnesses. With the objective of effectively controlling smoking and the use of […]
Though the import of e-cigarettes and vapes is banned in Bangladesh, the market for these products is booming, with young people becoming increasingly addicted. Despite the ban, the government has recently granted permission to the multinational cigarette company Philip Morris to produce nicotine pouches.In this context, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) Bangladesh has raised […]
গত ৩ ডিসেম্বর ২০২৫, সকাল ১১টায় বিএনটিটিপি আয়োজন করে ‘তামাক নিয়ন্ত্রণ আইন শক্তিশালীকরণ ঠেকাতে কোম্পানির প্রোপাগান্ডা ও বাস্তবতা’ শীর্ষক ওয়েবিনার। এতে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অংশগ্রহণ করেন বিশ্ব স্বাস্থ্য সংস্থা বাংলাদেশের সাবেক ন্যাশনাল প্রফেশনালস ড. সৈয়দ মাহফুজুল হক, ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের ইনস্টিটিউট অফ হেলথ ইকোনমিক্সের পরিচালক অধ্যাপক ড. শাফিউন নাহিন শিমুল, ঢাকা ইন্টারন্যাশনাল ইউনিভার্সিটির সহযোগী অধ্যাপক বজলুর রহমান, এবং […]
On December 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM, BNTTP organized a webinar titled “Tobacco Industry Propaganda and Reality: Preventing the Strengthening of the Tobacco Control Law.” The event featured key participants, including Dr. Syed Mahfuzul Haque, Ex National Professional of the World Health Organization (WHO) Bangladesh; Professor Shafiun Nahin Shimul, Director of the Institute of Health […]
This the historic Appellate division order in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. In 2016, the Full Bench of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh delivered a landmark ruling on tobacco control. The ruling was given by a bench of five judges, including then Chief Justice S. K. Sinha. The Court directed government […]
Nearly 200 million people reside in the neighboring countries of South Asia—Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Although these countries share a common colonial history, legal framework, and lifestyle, there are significant differences in the structure and practice of journalism across the region. These differences have created visible gaps between communities. To […]
প্রায় ২০০ কোটি মানুষের বসবাসের দক্ষিণ এশিয়ার প্রতিবেশী দেশসমূহ—বাংলাদেশ, ভারত, পাকিস্তান, নেপাল, শ্রীলঙ্কা ও মালদ্বীপ—একই ঔপনিবেশিক ইতিহাস, আইন-কানুন ও জীবনধারায় পরিচিত হলেও এ অঞ্চলের সাংবাদিকতার কাঠামো ও বাস্তবতায় রয়েছে উল্লেখযোগ্য পার্থক্য। মানুষের মাঝে গড়ে উঠেছে দৃশ্যমান দূরত্ব। এই ব্যবধান কমাতে এবং আঞ্চলিক সহযোগিতা শক্তিশালী করতে মানুষে–মানুষে যোগাযোগ বৃদ্ধি অত্যন্ত জরুরি, আর সেই যোগাযোগের সবচেয়ে কার্যকর […]
It was a fruitful workshop with 30 agricultural journalists, where I had the opportunity to share insights on tobacco control issues at a special session held on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, at the Bureau of Economic Research (BER), University of Dhaka. I presented the keynote paper titled “Corporate Aggression Fuelling Tobacco Cultivation: A Threat to […]
On 29 September 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in the Tobacco Control Handbook Validation Workshop, organized by the National Institute of Local Government (NILG) in Dhaka. The event was part of the Institutionalizing and Strengthening the Implementation of Tobacco Control Project-II (ISITC-II). As a participant, I contributed by sharing my thoughts and recommendations […]
Following multiple allegations of corruption and misconduct against Mahmud Hasan, the Acting Managing Director (MD) of Palli Daridro Bimochon Foundation (PDBF), the foundation’s employees staged a protest holding my photo in front of the National Press Club on September 27, 2025, in response to the investigative report aired by Ekattor Television. They attempted to mislead […]
Authorities in northern Bangladesh seized 13 kg of cannabis hidden inside a British American Tobacco (BAT) truck transporting tobacco from Lalmonirhat to the company’s GLT (Green Leaf Threshing) factory in Kushtia. The raid was carried out by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-13) on September 17 at the Teesta Toll Plaza in Lalmonirhat Sadar, according to local […]
Today we had a great discussion with Mr. Guillermo A. Sandoval, Economist at WHO Headquarters, on the weaknesses in Bangladesh’s tobacco tax structure and the steps needed to better protect public health in the future. Together with other tobacco control advocates, we highlighted recent progress on tobacco taxation, addressed challenges of industry interference, and discussed […]
Confirmation of Participation: I am pleased to inform you that I will attend the upcoming Consultative Meeting to Identify the Future Tobacco Control Research Needs in Bangladesh on August 25, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Bangladesh Medical Association Bhaban, Dhaka.
