The policy formulated to use 1% surcharge levied from tobacco products should be finalized immediately. This surcharge will play an important role in the development of tobacco control and public health. Government’s such initiative about sustainable funding for tobacco control is commendable. Speakers opined this in a discussion meeting jointly organized by Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust, Bangladesh Lung Foundation and The Union held at WBB Trust conference room on 22 November 2016. 

The meeting that presided by WBB Trust's Director Gaous Pearee and speakers were Dr. Kazi Saifuddin Bennur, Assistant Professor of National Institute of Diseases of Chest and Hospital and International Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Lung Foundation; Dr. Asif Mujtaba Mahmud, Associate Professor of Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR); Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Technical Advisor of The Union; Helal Ahmed, Secretary General of Prottyasha Anti-drug Club discussed in the meeting. Aminul Islam Sujon, Executive editor of anti-tobacco newsletter ‘Swamaswar’ published by the Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA) moderated while WBB Trust’s Program Manager Syeda Anonna Rahman presented keynote presentation.

Speakers said, ‘Govt. has imposed 1% surcharge on tobacco products in fiscal year 2014-15. This surcharge money needs to be spent for NCD prevention including tobacco control. It will be helpful in strengthening disease prevention system and tobacco control actions.’