ISLAMABAD: National Health Services (NHS) Minister Saira Afzal Tarar on Thursday expressed the hope that the proposal for third-tier taxation on cigarettes will be withdrawn by the time the budget for the fiscal year 2017-18 is approved.

Addressing a press conference at the Press Information Department, she said she had been in touch with the Ministry of Finance on the issue, and also shared her ministry’s performance over the past four years.

The NHS ministry has suggested increasing taxes on cigarettes and recommended a minimum tax of Rs44 for a pack of 20 cigarettes. However, the budget proposes the introduction of a third tax tier, which would bring the minimum tax on a pack of 20 cigarettes to Rs16.

The price reduction not only violates Pakistan’s international commitments, since the consumption of cigarettes increases with a decrease in price, but would also increase the burden on hospitals due to tobacco-related illnesses.

Ms Tarar said: “I am working on this and hopefully the media will get some good news before the budget is passed.”

Discussing other issues that surfaced over the past four years, the minister said that in 2013, Pakistan was criticised at the World Health Assembly (WHA) after 306 polio cases were reported that year.

“However, because of our teamwork, only two polio cases have been reported this year. At this year’s WHA, not only did all stakeholders appreciate our performance but also assured uninterrupted funding as they believe the reduction in polio cases was their success,” she added.

Separately, the Pakistan National Heart Association (PNHA) also held a press conference on Thursday to condemn the decrease in cigarette prices.

Retired Gen Masoodur Rehman Kiyani and other association members said the World Health Organisation has recommended a 75pc tax on retail prices, but Pakistan was facilitating the tobacco industry by lowering prices.

Association members said they have written to the prime minister, finance minister, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and other government personalities because the new generation would suffer if the tax is not increased.

PNHA Secretary General Sanaullah Ghumman told Dawn the tobacco industry was very powerful, because of which even the decision to enlarge the pictorial warning on cigarette packs from 40 to 85pc could not be implemented.

“Here, 90pc of smokers belong to the lower middle class, and they will consume more cigarettes if prices are decreased. Resultantly, there will be more heart-related diseases,” he added.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2017