Human Chain in Tangail Demands Price Hike and Tax Reform on Tobacco

A human chain was held in Tangail demanding an increase in the prices of all tobacco products and reform of the tobacco tax structure in the upcoming 2025–26 national budget. The event took place on Saturday (May 3) in front of the Tangail District Press Club and was organized by Development Organisation of the Rural Poor-DORP.

Participants included people from various walks of life, anti-tobacco activists, journalists, civil society representatives, and leaders of the biri labor community. The program was moderated by Rubina Islam, Program Coordinator of DORP's Tobacco Control Project.

Speakers at the event included Nazmul Haque (President of the Tangail Regional Biri Workers’ Union), Shah Alam Mia (General Secretary), Jahangir Alam (Member), journalist Borhan Talukder, and civil society representative Nur Alam Palash.

Speakers highlighted that nearly 90% of cigarettes sold in the market belong to the low and medium tiers, making them easily accessible and thus more likely to attract youth. They urged the government to unify the low and medium tiers and fix the retail price at BDT 90, while setting the price for the premium tier at BDT 190.

They further stated that implementing this tax and price proposal in the upcoming budget could discourage approximately 1.7 million young people from initiating smoking and potentially prevent about 870,000 premature deaths in the long term.

During the demonstration, the bidi workers expressed their desire to leave this deadly profession and called on the government to provide alternative employment opportunities.