According to media reports, tobacco growers expressed their gratitude to the federal government for responding to the demands of tobacco growers and imposing a tax on cigarette packs instead of tobacco leaves. On the contrary, the concerns expressed by anti-tobacco advocates regarding the taxation of tobacco in Pakistan are legitimate and must be addressed by the government.
Tobacco taxation is a proven method of reducing tobacco consumption, and it is essential that all forms of tobacco including e-liquids, and tobacco mixtures for HTPs are taxed in order to achieve the maximum benefits. The recent decision of the federal government to tax packed tobacco and leaves is a positive step, but it is important that the government does not favour any particular segment of the industry.
The sustainability of tobacco taxation in Pakistan can only be achieved if taxes are sustained at each level, and if the government remains committed to achieving the World Health Organization’s target of 70% tax on cigarettes.
The affordability of cigarettes is a major factor in tobacco consumption, particularly among vulnerable populations such as youth and low-income individuals. By increasing taxes on tobacco, the government can make cigarettes less affordable, thereby reducing consumption and improving public health. This, in turn, can lead to reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity, as smoking-related illnesses are a significant burden on the healthcare system and result in the least productivity due to illness and premature deaths.
Project Coordinator of Coalition for Tobacco Control CTC-Pak Zeeshan Danish further said while the recent increase in tobacco taxes in Pakistan is a step in the right direction, more needs to be done in order to achieve the WHO’s target of 70% tax on cigarettes. The government must remain committed to this target and take further steps to increase taxes on tobacco in a sustainable manner. Moreover, the implementation of the National Tobacco Control Strategy (NTCS) in letter and spirit will ensure the sustainability of all indicators of NTCS, especially tobacco tax. This includes ensuring that taxes are sustained at each level and that no segment of the industry is favoured over others.
