Staff Reporter
Prices of tobacco are cheapest in Pakistan as compared with those in the world. In our neighbouring Sri Lanka, tobacco prices are six times higher, in India four times higher while even in Bangladesh tobaccos is twice expensive. Chief Justice of Pakistan should take notice of tobacco’s cheap prices in Pakistan that is resulting in its prevalence across Pakistan.
This was stated at Civil society Alliance session organized by Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), attended by senior doctors, advocate, youth, religious Scholars, civil societies, representatives of Fatima Malik Trust, Nijhat Trust, Pakistan Kidney Patient Welfare association, Women Welfare Association and media persons.
Maj. Gen (R) Masudur Rehman Kiani, President PANAH shared that tobacco is badly impacting our health burden which has been raised to Rs.143 billion. Tobacco companies are currently targeting kids, youth and women as future customers. He also highlighted the role of anti-smoking campaigns in reducing the health risks in schools and colleges.
Maj Gen (R) Muhammad Ashraf Khan said according to WHO, raising taxes on tobacco product were one of the effective and easy tools to reduce tobacco consumption in the country.
Sana Ullah Ghumman, Gen Sec. PANAH stated that tobacco companies are using new tactics to retain government form raising taxes on tobacco products. In the past, tobacco industries also urged the government to reduce taxes by presenting wrong data and facts about illicit trade. Due to which Government had suffered loss of 154 billion over three years in terms of revenue and also increases the number of diseases and health burden on country.
