THIS is with reference to your editorial ‘Anti-smoking efforts’ (Feb 18).While I agree to most of what is written in the editorial, I would like to say that our governments have never been serious about controlling the tobacco epidemic in the country in the past 65 years. The fact is that our government is addicted to Rs80bn money that it generates from sales tax on tobacco and thus not willing to take any serious measures to control this epidemic.

In Pakistan taxation on cigarette is the lowest in the region and 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 argument that it will encourage smuggling from neighbouring countries. This argument does not make 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 that as we increase the price of tobacco, fewer children start smoking and more smokers make the decision to quit.

As the country’s financial budget is approaching, I would urge the government to take steps for substantial increase in the taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The excess revenue thus generated can be used for the mass media campaign, highlighting the serious health hazards associated with tobacco use.

Prof. Javaid Khan

Chair, National Alliance for Tobacco Control,

Karachi

Published in Dawn March 3rd , 2015

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