Increase of tax on tobacco demanded*****

Leaders of different social and environmental organisations Sunday demanded increase of tax on bidi, cigarette and all tobacco products in the upcoming budget for protecting public health and saving lives from their harmful effects, reports BSS. Tobacco and tobacco products claim nearly 57,000 lives and cripple 382,000 people in Bangladesh every year, they told a sit-in programme organised by Bangladesh Anti-tobacco Alliance (BATA) in front of Malibagh Supermarket in the city, according to a press release. Member of BATA Ibnul Sayeed Rana, noted singer Fakir Alamgir, Prof Jamshed Ali of Nagorik Adhikar Sangrakkhan Forum, among others, addressed the programme with Hafizur Rahman Mayna of Khilgaon Social Sangstha in the chair. The anti-tobacco campaigners also demanded amendment to the existing tobacco law incorporating tougher provisions and issues of smokeless tobacco.