EVERY year, on May 31, WHO commemorates Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

Tobacco kills nearly six million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke.

Tobacco is responsible for killing more Pakistanis than deaths from suicide, bomb blasts, road accidents, honour killings and drug abuse combined. On this year’s World No Tobacco Day, WHO calls on countries to raise taxes on tobacco to discourage its consumption.

In Pakistan, taxation on cigarette is lowest in the region and, as a result, one can easily buy a pack of 20 cigarettes for Rs25. As far as smokeless tobacco like gutka and naswar, is concerned, they are still not in the tax net and thus available at a very low cost.

Increased taxation on tobacco products has proved to be a successful strategy in curbing tobacco epidemic in many countries.

According to a World Bank report, increasing the tax by 10pc can reduce tobacco consumption by 8pc in a low-income country like Pakistan.

The tobacco industry has been resisting any increase in taxation on cigarettes by giving the argument that it would encourage smuggling from neighbouring countries. The argument does not make any sense because tobacco prices are cheapest in Pakistan, no one would smuggle cigarettes into this country and then sell them at a lower price.

Research has clearly shown, as we increase the price of tobacco, fewer kids start smoking and more smokers make the decision to quit. With so many lives at stake, what are decision-makers waiting for?

As the country’s financial budget is approaching, I would urge the government to take steps for a substantial increase in the taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

The excess revenue thus generated can be used for a mass-media campaign, highlighting the serious health hazards associated with tobacco use.

Prof Javaid Khan

Chair, National Alliance for Tobacco Control,

The Aga Khan University, Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2014