Giving priority to build a preventive health system, health development surcharge needs to spend for Tobacco and NCDs control. Although many initiatives has taken by the government including the imposition of surcharge, but due to the economic crisis it is not possible to adopt long-term planning and implementation of tobacco control programs. 

It’s a matter of concern that, There is no specific budget allocation for tobacco control in the country yet. To mobilize the tobacco control activities by ensuring sustainable funding for public health development and disease prevention, it is required to pass the policy immediately that has been formulated for the using 1% surcharge. It is also necessary to impose high tax on other unhealthy products to strengthen prevention system.    

Speakers expressed this in discussion meeting held at Public Health Foundation (PHF) meeting room jointly organized by Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust and Public Health Foundation 04 December 2016. 

The meeting presided by PHF executive board member Professor M Mojaherul Huq and Chief Executive Officer of PHF Dr. Shamir Kumar Saha, Executive Director of School of Women Health and Nutrition Tamanna Sharmin, Program Manager of WBB Trust Syeda Anonna Rahman, Project Officer Sharmin Akter Rini and Fahmida Islam, Chief Consultant of Oral Health and Nutrition Aid discussed in the meeting.