Bureau of Economic Research (BER), University of Dhaka organized a meeting with Health Economics Unit (HEU) & National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) on 14 October 2021 to discuss the scope of work to support government for formulation a National Tobacco Tax Policy.
Dr. Md. Shahadt Hossain Mahmud, Director General of HEU appreciated the initiative of developing the outline of tobacco tax policy through a consultative approach, and considered the proposal as timely and very comprehensive. He expressed his commitment to play a leading role in advancing the tobacco tax policy outline, and coordinate with Ministry of Finance and other relevant authorities. Dr. Nurul Amin, Director-Research, HEU also commented that the tobacco tax policy outline is comprehensive which covers all the relevant domains for successful implementation of tobacco tax proposals in Bangladesh. Dr. Amin assured to support the initiative to take it forward for endorsement by the government. Dr. Shahadt and Dr. Amin have requested to organize a workshop on the tobacco tax policy outline with officials of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Hossain Ali Khondoker, Coordinator (Additional Secretary) of NTCC also expressed his commitment to lead the process of endorsing the tobacco tax policy proposal by the government.
Among others present at the meeting were Rumana Huque, Focal Person of BER; Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, Technical Advisor of The Union; Dr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Deputy Director – 4 (Deputy Secretary) of HEU; Mazaharul Islam, Deputy Director-3 (Senior Assistant Secretary) of HEU, Aminul Islam, Program Officer of of NTCC, Dr. Md. Farhadur Reza, Program Officer of NTCC. Shadat Hossain, Research Officer of HEU.