This loophole can be plugged by merging the low and medium price tiers, according to an ATMA statement released following the FY 2025-26 pre-budget meeting with the NBR. During the meeting, the NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan said he would consider reducing the number of cigarette price tiers to three while simultaneously increasing the prices. However, during this period, the hike in the prices of different tiers of cigarettes ranged between 6-15 percent only. As per the proposal presented by ATMA, for non-filtered bidi, the retail price should be Tk 25 for 25 sticks, and for filtered bidi, the retail price for 20 sticks should be set at Tk 20. Regarding smokeless tobacco, the retail price for 10 grams of Jarda and Gul should be Tk 55 and Tk 30, followed by a 60 percent supplementary duty.

Source: bd News24 March 18, 2025 23:17 UTC