Dhaka, May 11 -- Public health experts and physicians on Monday urged the government to increase tobacco product prices effectively in the upcoming FY2026-27 national budget to reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh.

They said around 71 percent of annual deaths in Bangladesh are caused by non-communicable diseases, while tobacco use is responsible for nearly 14 percent of NCD-related deaths in the country.

The demand was raised at a press conference titled "Effective Tobacco Price Increase to Reduce the Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases: Physicians' Budget Proposals for FY2026-27", organized by United Forum Against Tobacco and National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh at National Press Club.

The progr...