We all know that tobacco consumption is an immense threat to our health. Yet, the consumption of tobacco continues. Even though we read the label on the box, tobacco’s stress-lowering and mood-altering quality wins every time.
The tobacco industry was designed as a mammoth profit-generating machine from the very beginning. It transcends borders, and has been able to target markets all over the world. And this cannot be swept under the rug by saying “this is just a business.”
If we are to avoid the ethics behind businesses, then the illegal trade of human organs is also just a business. But the question remains: Who is to blame for this? Should the government take responsibility for allowing foul play, or are we, the consumers, to blame for consuming an unhealthy product?
According to WHO, the use of tobacco kills more than 5 million people per year. It is directly responsible for 1 in 10 adult deaths. If it continues at this rate, by the year 2030, 8 million people per year will be affected by it.
Tobacco consumption has been on the rise in Bangladesh, and while some policies have been drafted, their adequate implementation is yet to see the light of day. Anti-tobacco groups have been seen protesting on the streets and many round-table discussions have taken place, but their impact to lessen the consumption has been negligible.
Now our Finance Minister AMA Muhith has proposed to reduce the price floor of premium range cigarettes in the FY 2015-16 budget.
In other words, he is promoting the tobacco business and helping multinational tobacco companies in Bangladesh secure their profit.
Increasing 2% supplementary duty is not enough for premium-range cigarettes since they generate most of the profits for the tobacco companies. In order to influence demand in any way, more tax should be imposed on high-end cigarettes. Young men and women who consume the high-end brands for their snob-appeal might be even more tempted to buy them now that they are slightly more expensive, but still quite light on their wallets.
When evaluating taxation amounts on tobacco, the government should research the agendas of the anti-tobacco groups and the appropriate economic costs of tobacco consumption.
Our ministers should also not forget that we are one of the signatories of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Their policies not only show their level of responsibility for the common Bangladeshi, but also their commitment to international conventions. Research on the negative heath impacts of tobacco can in no way be ignored by governments. Statistics on diseases caused, deaths, and impact on passive smokers must all be looked into.
Studies show that high prices of tobacco have been able to reduce its demand among consumers of all income levels. Higher prices make consumers more reluctant to buy the product.
This has, in turn, been able to reduce addiction to tobacco among users. Those that have quit are also less likely to smoke tobacco again due to its higher prices.
Thus, higher taxes should be imposed on tobacco, and our finance minister should show more moral culpability by not proposing policies that boost the tobacco business. The government must look out for its citizens and must be able to show leadership in areas where the public fail to do what is best for themselves.
The tobacco industry must be carefully monitored and regulated to make sure they do not capitalise on the vulnerability of the general public. 2% is not enough, and multinational balance sheets should not dictate our national policies.