Advocacy Groups Suggest Higher Taxes on Tobacco Products

In an effort to combat the widespread issue of smoking in Pakistan, advocacy organizations, including the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), are urging the government to hike taxes on tobacco products, particularly cigarettes.

During a recent briefing session, these groups proposed a significant increase of at least 26% in tobacco taxes for the upcoming national budget.

Pakistan is facing a significant challenge with a large number of its population engaging in tobacco use. It’s estimated that over 31.9 million adults, nearly 20% of the adult population, are current smokers.

Each year, smoking-related illnesses claim the lives of more than 160,000 individuals in the country, taking a toll not just on health but also on the economy. Despite this, the taxes collected from cigarettes cover only a small portion of the costs associated with smoking-related healthcare expenses, a figure that has been declining over the years.

Dr. Khalil Ahmad, a program manager at SPARC, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, highlighting how affordable cigarettes can entice more people, especially young individuals and those with limited financial means, to take up smoking or continue the habit, despite its well-known health risks.

The call for higher tobacco taxes is grounded in the belief that increasing the cost of cigarettes will make them less accessible and less appealing to potential smokers.

Malik Imran Ahmad, the Country Head of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), echoed this sentiment, stating that higher taxes on tobacco, as recommended by global health organizations like the World Health Organization and the World Bank, can effectively reduce smoking rates and generate revenue for healthcare services.

Ahmad believes that a substantial increase in tobacco taxes, such as the proposed 26.6% hike for the upcoming fiscal year, would not only help cover a significant portion of healthcare costs associated with smoking-related illnesses but also deter hundreds of thousands of individuals from taking up or continuing the habit.

The advocacy groups are hopeful that their call for action will prompt policymakers to prioritize public health by implementing measures to make tobacco products less accessible and ultimately reduce smoking prevalence across the country.

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