Dhaka, April 29 -- Leading physicians and public health experts in Bangladesh have called for comprehensive tobacco tax reform in the upcoming FY 2026-27 national budget, emphasising its critical role in reducing non-communicable diseases, or NCDs, and strengthening public finances.

The call was made at a seminar titled "Increasing Tobacco Taxes for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases: Budget FY 2026-27 Perspective", organised by the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh on Wednesday, according to a press release.

Delivering the welcome address, Prof Fazila-Tun-Nesa Malik, secretary general of the organisation, highlighted the urgency of prioritising tobacco control as a key public health strategy.

The keynote paper was prese...