Symbolic image

DHAKA, Dec 9, 2025 (BSS)- A recent study revealed that the total tobacco 
related loss in the country at approximately Taka 87,500 crore for the last 
year which is more than double the government revenue earned from the sector 
during the same period.

The findings were presented today at an event held at the Power and 
Participation Research Centre (PPRC) office here in Dhanmondi.
 
The study was jointly conducted by the Institute of Health Economics of Dhaka 
University (DU) and the Bloomberg School of Public Health's "Economics for 
Health" initiative. 

Research team member Ashraful Kibria presented the data at the event titled 
"Tobacco Cost and Impact". According to the study, tobacco-related healthcare 
expenses amounted to nearly Taka 73,000 crore while environmental damages 
reached at Taka 14,500 crore. 

Tobacco caused a total economic loss of Taka 87,544 crore in 2024, whereas 
government revenue stood at Taka 41,000 crore, according to the study.
 
For the first time, the study detailed the environmental impact of tobacco, 
including deforestation, land degradation, waste management issues and 
pollution, valuing these damages at Taka 1,425 crore, or 16 percent of the 
total loss.

Researchers also calculated health-related economic losses from eight major 
tobacco-related diseases using the 'cost-of-illness' method which amounted to 
Taka 73,063 crore.
 
Losses from tobacco-induced fires were assessed using government data, while 
other environmental damages were estimated through scientific analyses.

At the event, PPRC Senior Research Associate Mohammad Ihtehsam Hasan 
presented findings from another survey conducted last month at 666 shops near 
121 schools in four divisions. 

The survey found that 84 percent of the shops sold flavored cigarettes and 99 
percent sold single-stick cigarettes. 

Seventy percent of shops within 100 meters of educational institutions 
displayed tobacco advertisements, and 20 percent engaged in promotional 
activities.

The report recommended banning tobacco advertising at points of sale and 
prohibiting flavored and single-stick cigarette sales to reduce youth 
attraction and accessibility.