Dhaka, April 28 -- Restructuring cigarette pricing and taxation could generate around Tk 440 billion in additional revenue and help prevent about 400,000 premature deaths in the long term, the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) has said.

The proposal was presented at a pre-budget discussion held at the National Board of Revenue Headquarters on Tuesday.

The proposal suggests merging low and medium cigarette tiers and setting retail prices at Tk 100 per 10 sticks, Tk 150 for high-tier brands and Tk 200 or more for premium brands, according to a media statement.

It also calls for a specific tax of Tk 4 per 10-stick pack in addition to the existing 67 percent supplementary duty.

NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan said higher tobacco taxes ...