Experts call for increase in tobacco taxation

Islamabad:Public health experts, parliamentarians, and civil society leaders have called for urgent and substantial increases in tobacco taxation and stricter enforcement of tobacco control laws to address the alarming rise in nicotine consumption, especially among Pakistan’s youth. The appeal came during a high-level policy dialogue on tobacco control held on Thursday.

Presenting compelling data, Asif Iqbal, Managing Director of the Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC), underscored that the freeze on Federal Excise Duty (FED) since February 2023, coupled with relatively low inflation, has made cigarettes increasingly affordable. He warned that if corrective tax measures are not implemented in the upcoming fiscal year, over 490,000 young people are likely to initiate smoking. “A significant tax hike would not only curb tobacco consumption but also generate much-needed revenue for public health,” Iqbal stressed.

Zaheer Qureshi, Director of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Track and Trace System, provided insights into FBR’s efforts to combat illicit trade through digital monitoring. He noted that products like tobacco, sugar, and cement are now tracked electronically across the supply chain to enhance transparency and revenue collection.

Dr. Arsalan Haider, Director of the Tobacco Control Cell at the Ministry of National Health Services, shared the mandate of TCC terming it as a comprehensive, self-guiding framework aimed at supporting Pakistan’s commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Speaking on this occasion, MNA Saher Kamran highlighted the critical role of educational institutions in safeguarding youth. From the provincial legislature, Punjab MPA Tahira Mushtaq spoke about her successful resolution in the Punjab Assembly, advocating for a provincial tobacco levy and legal measures to regulate emerging products like vapes and e-cigarettes.

Echoing similar concerns, MNA Sabeen Ghauri emphasized the need to plug legislative gaps and modernize Pakistan’s tobacco control laws. “Despite having two federal laws, we face serious enforcement challenges. We are committed to amending existing laws and introducing new ones to cover all nicotine products including vapes and nicotine gums,” she affirmed. Ghauri also expressed optimism about increased tobacco taxes in the upcoming federal budget. MNA Dr. Shazia Sobia and MNA Naeema Kishwar Khan also supported tax increase on tabacco.