No notable reforms or changes in tax structures of the bidi sector have been brought about for the last couple of years, Muhith said. Due to its easy availability and existing duty structure, a large number of people smoke this product and become vulnerable to health risk, Muhith said. The market share analysis of the low segment cigarette for the past few years suggests that the domestic cigarette manufacturing companies are gradually losing their share of the market. Moreover, the brands marketed by the multinational company in the low segment are in fact the top and popular brands in other countries. At the same time, Muhith introduced and fixed the price of the low segment for every 10 sticks of international brand cigarette at Tk 35 and supplementary duty at 55 percent.

Source: bd News24 June 01, 2017 11:23 UTC