Karachi: Society for Protection of Rights of Child (SPARC), in statement shared statistics highlighting significant burden tobacco use imposes on Pakistan, both in terms of public health and economic costs.

Instead of increasing taxes on utilities such as electricity and gas, government should prioritise increasing taxes on cigarettes to reduce health cost burden and economic crisis.

Malik Imran Ahmad Country Head of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), said that Pakistan faces considerable challenge in combating tobacco menace. He presented statistics showing high prevalence of tobacco use in country, with 31.9 million adults (15 years and above) consuming tobacco products, accounting for about 19.7 percent of adult population.

He added that tobacco-related illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes and heart diseases, contribute to over 160,000 deaths annually in Pakistan. These deaths not only affect individuals but also have broader impacts on families, communities and healthcare system.

Malik Imran proposed an immediate 30 percent FED increase in 2024, which can recover 19.8 percent of costs, narrowing gap between health burdens and tax revenues.

Dr. Khalil programme manager at SPARC highlighted low cigarette prices are reason why children and youth initiate smoking. These costs encompass healthcare expenses, productivity losses due to illness and premature death, as well as other indirect economic impacts.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 02 2024

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