Sushanta K Singha
Ekattor Television, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Md. Ibrahim Khalil
Bureau of Economic Research, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, tobacco control efforts face significant challenges due to the influence of multinational corporations like British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB), which controls around 75% of cigarette production. While the country has implemented laws to protect public health, tobacco companies continue to employ aggressive marketing strategies, including eye-catching ads and CSR programs, to attract young consumers and shape public opinion. BATB’s dominance, especially in the low-tier cigarette market, has been bolstered by a complex, multi-tier tax system that allows the company to boost profits while keeping prices affordable. BATB sends foreign currency abroad by buying equipment, services, technical fees, tobacco leaves, etc., which is harmful to Bangladesh and tobacco growers. If BATB had not sent such a considerable amount to their mother company, the money would have been added to the company's profit. As a result, the government would get a 47.5 percent corporate income tax, and shareholders would get more dividends on that money.
Bidi, BATB, Cigarettes, Public health, Tobacco company