Today, a significant research study has revealed widespread violations of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) by cigarette companies in Bangladesh. However,  In 2022, I first reported on this practice in a story aired on Ekattor Television, produced in collaboration with the Bangladesh Network for Tobacco Tax Policy (BNTTP). That story played a significant role in […]

“Child Labor in Bidi Factories: Current Situation and Way Forward” is my second research study in the field of tobacco control, conducted in 2015. The study explores the prevalence of child labor in bidi manufacturing, examines the socio-economic factors sustaining this practice, and highlights policy and implementation gaps, while proposing practical strategies for prevention and […]

After being stalled for more than a year, the Government of Bangladesh has finally approved the amendment to the Smoking and Tobacco Products Control Act in the form of an ordinance. On 24 December 2025, at a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, both the Smoking and Tobacco Products […]

My first book on television journalism in Bangladesh, “Broadcast Journalism One: Reading and Reality,” has sold out its first print run of 500 copies. Copies of the second edition are now being distributed to journalism departments at various universities across the country. It is my honor to share that the book has now been included […]

‘জনস্বাস্থ্য রক্ষায় সিগারেটের দাম যত বেশি হয় তত ভালো অথবা তামাক কোম্পানিগুলো নির্ধারিত মূল্যের চেয়ে বেশি দাম নিলে সমস্যা নেই’। এমন একটি চিন্তা কিছু তামাক নিয়ন্ত্রণকর্মীদের মধ্যে পাওয়া যায়। যারা মনে করেন, দাম বেশি হলে মানুষ কম খাবে। আপাতদৃষ্টিতে বিষয়টি ইতিবাচক মনে হলেও বিষয়টা আসলে বুমেরাং হয়ে ফিরে আসে তামাক নিয়ন্ত্রণের ক্ষেত্রে। কারণ শুধু দাম […]

Abstract: S Kumar Singha,1 R. Huque,2 1Jamuna Television, Special Correspondent, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2University of Dhaka, Department of Economics, Dhaka, Bangladesh. e-mail: sinhasmp@yahoo.com Background and challenges to implementation: Due to influence of British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) and other Tobacco Industries (TI), existing tierbased tax system benefited TI’s and tax evasion became major obstacle on tobacco […]

From Dublin: Speaking at World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC) 2025 on global tobacco control, Bangladeshi journalist Sushanta k Singha raised a critical issue facing his country: the widespread use of smokeless tobacco and the lack of dedicated resources to combat it. “In Bangladesh, we have 35 million tobacco users,” Singha stated. “Out of them, […]

Sushanta Kumar Singha[1] Executive Summary In Bangladesh, cigarette taxes were first imposed in 1992-93, and while the tax structure has fluctuated over time, a four-tier system has been in place since 2004-05. However, there are no clear guidelines for determining cigarette prices, which are set annually in the national budget, often influenced by cigarette companies. […]

EP35-436-24 Tier-based tax system benefitted tobacco industries in Bangladesh S. Kumar Singha,1 R. Huque,2 1Jamuna Television, Special Correspondent, News, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2University of Dhaka, Department of Economics, Dhaka, Bangladesh. e-mail: sinhasmp@yahoo.com Background and challenges to implementation: Due to influence of British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) and other Tobacco Industries (TI), existing tierbased tax system benefited […]

Analysis of BATB’s 10-year Annual Report: A Review of Financial Anomalies, Corporate Social Responsibility and Interference in Policy in Bangladesh Sushanta kumar singha Abstract: Bangladesh is the world’s eighth largest cigarette market, with annual volumes exceeding 86 billion units and a growth rate of 2%. 1 One of the most effective ways to increase government […]

Child labour dominate in bidi factories in Bangladesh 11 May 2016 Bidi factory owners gain but child workers suffer in Bangladesh A study on Bangladesh’s bidi industry has revealed the harsh reality of child labour. Children between 7 and 14 years of age dominate the workforce because they can be paid less than adults. Their […]

ABSTRACT Background: Mass media plays an important role in influencing tobacco control policies. The tobacco industry also uses the mass media to promote their products and undermine tobacco control policies, in particular tobacco tax policies. To understand the tactics of tobacco industry to prevent effective tobacco tax policies through analyzing media reports on tobacco tax […]

Tobacco companies apply various tactics, including myths and pricing strategies, to retain smokers, spread their products and weaken the impact of tobacco tax. Tobacco Company (TC) also applies tactics to evade government revenue. As a result, the increase in the tobacco tax is mostly absorbed. Bangladesh is a country where tobacco use is still high. […]