ISLAMABAD – Health advocates emphasized the need to raise tobacco taxes, specifically targeting cigarettes, to curb smoking effectively.
Malik Imran Ahmed, the Country Head of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), stated that policymakers can deter tobacco consumption by increasing cigarette taxes and making them less affordable. Ahmed highlighted the pivotal role of high cigarette taxes in preventing smoking, particularly among the youth and individuals with lower incomes.
He also shed light on the staggering economic toll of tobacco in Pakistan, amounting to Rs 615.07 billion (US$3.85 billion). The financial cost of smoking surpasses the revenues generated by the tobacco industry, he added.
Ahmed referred to data from an international survey revealing that the aggregate annual economic costs attributable to smoking-related diseases and deaths, along with those associated with the three primary non-communicable diseases, collectively amount to 1.6% and 1.15% of Pakistan’s GDP, respectively. This concerning pattern highlights the immediate requirement to implement yearly increments in cigarette taxes.
Dr. Khalil Ahmad, Program Manager at SPARC, elaborated on the multifaceted impacts of high cigarette taxes. He emphasized the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the challenges associated with tobacco-related health issues in children and marginalized communities.
Dr. Ahmad said that the quarters concerned could effectively curb smoking rates among youth, thereby safeguarding their health and well-being. He further highlighted that the financial burden imposed by tobacco-related illnesses disproportionately affects marginalized communities, exacerbating existing disparities in access to healthcare and socioeconomic opportunities.
Dr. Ahmad suggested that the revenue generated from increased cigarette taxes could be allocated towards bolstering healthcare infrastructure, funding public health initiatives, and implementing comprehensive tobacco control programs to prevent tobacco use initiation and support smoking cessation efforts.
