Experts, lawmakers urge stronger tobacco taxes to curb smoking

ISLAMABAD: Public health experts, parliamentarians, and civil society leaders have called for urgent increases in tobacco taxes and stricter enforcement of tobacco control laws to combat the growing use of nicotine, especially among young people in Pakistan.

The appeal came during a high-level policy dialogue on tobacco control held on Friday, according to a press release.

MNA Saher Kamran emphasized the important role of educational institutions in protecting youth. She noted that she has introduced several bills in both the Senate and National Assembly over the past 15 years aimed at tobacco control.

Asif Iqbal, Managing Director of the Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC), presented data showing that the freeze on Federal Excise Duty (FED) since February 2023, combined with relatively low inflation, has made cigarettes more affordable.

He warned that without tax reforms in the upcoming fiscal year, over 490,000 young people could start smoking. Iqbal stressed that significant tax increases would both reduce tobacco consumption and generate much-needed public health revenue.

Zaheer Qureshi, Director of the Federal Board of Revenue’s Track and Trace System, outlined efforts to fight illicit tobacco trade using digital monitoring. He said tobacco, sugar, and cement products are now electronically tracked throughout the supply chain to improve transparency and revenue collection.

Dr. Arsalan Haider, Director of the Tobacco Control Cell at the Ministry of National Health Services, described the Tobacco Control Cell as a comprehensive framework supporting Pakistan’s obligations under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Punjab MPA Tahira Mushtaq shared her success in passing a resolution in the Punjab Assembly for a provincial tobacco levy and legal regulation of emerging products such as vapes and e-cigarettes. She warned that these newer nicotine products are increasingly targeting youth and urged immediate action.