Training Course on Economics of Tobacco and Tobacco Taxation: Public Health Perspectives

Under the Tobacco tax project with the support of The Union, Bureau of Economic Research, the University of Dhaka with the collaboration of National Tobacco Control Cell, Ministry of Health and Family welfare organize a three-day training course on “Economics of Tobacco and Tobacco Taxation: Public Health Perspectives”. The main objective of the training is enhancing the knowledge and developing the capacity of the participant on all aspects of the tobacco taxation as well as getting recommendations on an effective tobacco taxation system in Bangladesh.

5 batch of the training has been completed till to the date. In the training Government officials form ministries and departments, representatives from NGOs working for tobacco control or public health issue, representatives from national media and university students were participated in the training course.

Methodology

The course was focused by mainly lecture with presentation methods. The question and answer method was also followed by some facilitators. Participants conducted group work and group presentation regarding the related issues. The participants were provided all presentations along with some other relevant documents in a pen flash at the end of the training.

Major Discussion Issues

This three days course covered the following major contents:

• Fundamentals of tobacco control; national and international scenario
• Economics of tobacco:
• Basic concepts related to demand and supply of tobacco products and how those relate to tobacco control
• Harmful socio, economic and environmental and health effects of tobacco cultivation and usage
• Affordability and health impact
• Tobacco tax:
• Theory and basic concepts of tobacco tax
• Country experiences; Global scenario of compliance of FCTC, the nature and structure of taxation of tobacco products: Bangladesh context, Analysis of Tobacco taxation in Bangladesh, myths on tobacco tax
• Effective Tax collection and collecting system
• Tax administration (with a focus on tobacco tax); Best Practices in other countries; Opportunities and challenges in Bangladesh
• Industry Interference; FCTC Articles on 5.3 ;Industry Interference and Tobacco Tax; Firms’ potential response to tobacco taxation
• CSO engagement to advocate for increasing tobacco tax: Success and Challenges

In this training, all participants were expected to contribute effectively to group activities such as presentations, discussions and critical appraisals. Each participant was also expected to evaluate the course contents and presentations.

Facilitators

In this course, the facilitators were mixed from Government current and ex-officials, Teachers/professors from University of Dhaka and NGO professionals. Most of them have had high background in terms of course facilitation. Participants were given autobiography of each facilitator at the beginning of sessions.

Participants of the 5 batch training course