Budget reaction program on tobacco tax
Bangladesh is one of the leading tobacco use country in the world. The prevalence of tobacco related non- communicable diseases is increasing day by day here. Treatment expenditure regarding tobacco related disease is a great burden in the health system of Bangladesh. Effectiveness of proposed budget of this year for controlling tobacco issue is much questionable. To see the proposed budget, it seems that there is a great influence of tobacco industry and tobacco traders in preparing the budget. Especially the price of Bidi is remained unchanged. On this issue, DAM’s Health Sector organized a budget reaction program at its meeting room on 08.06.2008. Head of Health Sector, Mr. Iqbal Masud presented the key note paper in the budget reaction program while Coordinator of Tobacco Control Program Md. Mukhlesur Rahman, Project Manager of Primary Health Care Project Ms. Mahfida Dina Rubiya, Coordinator of Mental Health activities Mr. Amir Hossain and Campaign Officer, Umme Jannat were present.