ISLAMABAD: Experts have advocated for the implementation of higher taxation and punitive measures to reduce the widespread use of cigarettes.

Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Tobacco Taxation – Light at the End of Health and Poverty Tunnel’ organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), the experts delved into the health implications, economic consequences and social challenges associated with cigarette consumption.

The health aspect was a focal point, with discussions centering on the rising incidence of cigarette-related diseases and their burden on the healthcare system.

The experts discussed government’s taxation strategy for the sector and appreciated World Bank’s suggestion of increasing the tax.

According to the World Bank’s latest report ‘Pakistan Development Update’, Pakistan collected 0.5pc of the GDP in federal excise duty revenue in FY21. Out of this just 0.19pc of the GDP was recovered from the cigarette industry despite having the additional potential rising up to 4pc of the GDP.

SDPI’s Dr Wasim Iftikhar Janjua said tobacco industry was building a deceptive narrative about the use of tobacco products to enhance their sales by misleading youth and the general public.

Blanca Llorente, Fundacion Anaas, Colombia, who participated in the discussion via videolink, said from 2010-23, Colombia followed three different tracks: government intervention, local research and civil society’s continuous advocacy for major tax increase on tobacco products.

SPDC Executive Director Asif Iqbal said every 50 individuals among 1,000 use tobacco products and more than 30 million people were tobacco users in the world.

In Pakistan, this number is close to three million smokers.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2023