ADHUNIK (We Prevent Smoking) has hailed the budget proposals 2014-15 FY announced by Finance Minister AMA Muhith that sought to impose 1 percent health development surcharge on all imported and domestically produced tobacco products and to use the fund collected from this source on the treatment of the victims of tobacco related diseases.
ADHUNIK hailed the proposed budget in a joint statement signed by its president Amanullah Khan and secretary general A.I. Islam.
They were, however, disappointed that the overall proposed increases in tax rates fell far short of those suggested by anti-tobacco organisations and WHO of at least 70 percent to 200 percent.
They apprehended that these marginal increases would not have any real impact on either curbing tobacco consumption or raising the revenue from it.
The prices of tobacco and tobacco products would still remain too low compared with other countries, they pointed out.
It was also shocking that many lawmakers are appealing to the Finance Minister for the protection of bidi industry which together with tobacco industry are responsible for ruining the health of a major section of population and for the deaths of 60,000 people every year in the country, the ADHUNIK leaders said.
They appealed to the conscience of the legislatures on the other side of the fence to come around, comprehend the grim facts concerning tobacco and extend cooperation in gradually dismantling the vast expanding evil empire built by this abominable industry and earn the gratitude of the fellow countrymen in general who would enjoy the blessings and boon of good health and long life free from tobacco.
ADHUNIK also strongly recommend further raising the tax to levels that would deter tobacco use.
It may be mentioned ADHUNIK won the ‘World No Tobacco Day Award 2014’ from the Ministry of Health and Family Planning in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the anti-tobacco movement in the country.
Source: UNBConnect
