Much-needed Sin Tax

Letter December 07, 2018
Such steps are important for timely curbing of the increased consumption of tobacco

LAHORE: The debate over the imposition of ‘Sin Tax’ particularly from those who are only concerned about the increased cost of smoking is pointless. It is because the tax is not new or the first of its kind and has been implemented in various countries across the world. Further, the increase in health budget, equated with an increase in tax over smoking, would improve the health graph in the long run. For a country like Pakistan, where population composition has a tilt towards the younger population, i.e. those below 30 years of age, such steps are important for timely curbing of the increased consumption of tobacco among the youth. Improved health would eventually lead to better economic growth as well.

Minhal Aman

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2018.

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