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control, in Bangladesh, however, the tax policy analysis remains constrained by misconceptions.

He said the assumption that increasing prices will reduce revenue is flawed, as there is no solid research evidence to support this claim. On the contrary, evidence suggests that higher prices discourage adolescents from initiating smoking — thereby helping to protect youths, he added.

He also noted that the decision to revoke the ban on e-cigarettes in the recently passed Tobacco Control Ordinance in the parliament was made without any clear explanation, while sending a dangerous signal to the public.

He stressed raising public awareness about the risks of tobacco use alongside taxation and tobacco control laws.

Prof Shafiun N Shimul, director of the Institute of Health Economics (IHE) at Dhaka University, presented the proposal jointly prepared by IHE, Economics for Health, and the World Health Organization (WHO).