Govt urged to double excise duty on cigarettes

'Instead of listening to the misinformation spread by tobacco industry, everyone must appreciate the govt’s decision'

ISLAMABAD:

Health activists have urged the government to stay firm on its decision to double the federal excise duty (FED) on cigarettes.

According to a press release issued by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), health activists shared that this decision can solve Pakistan’s financial dejection, provided that the government is not misled by the tobacco industry’s misinformation campaign.

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) Country Head Malik Imran said majority of the smuggled products belong to international companies operating in Pakistan.

An industry which is causing such severe damage to people’s health and finances, should not use a victim card that is being ‘burdened’ by taxes.

Instead of listening to the misinformation spread by the tobacco industry, everyone must appreciate the government’s decision which is in the interest of Pakistan’s health and economy.

And the government must be consistent about the decision it took on tax increases regarding tobacco products because existing tobacco taxes can generate 60 billion more in revenue.

In order to gain sympathy tobacco industry uses emotional tactics e.g., providing for poor families, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2023.