Senator advocates more tax on tobacco

Islamabad : Action on a Senate standing committee’s recommendations to increase tobacco tax will simplify the tobacco tax system and thus, reducing the government’s administrative costs through better enforcement and compliance and aligning it with the best global practices, said Senator Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif.

“Implementation of the recommendations can significantly reduce tobacco use and save lives while raising significant additional tax revenue that can fund the government health programmes, including tobacco control programmes,” he told a function organised by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child at a local hotel.

SPARC Executive Director Sajjad Cheema said considering the fact that the prices of tobacco products are still within the range of a minor, the civil society organizations striving for the better future generation of Pakistan were concerned.

"Heavy taxations on tobacco products will reduce tobacco consumption and decrease the accessibility of minors to tobacco products. This will not only reduce the health bill of the government of Pakistan and contribute to a clean and healthy environment for future generations," he said.

"This is the better way to save our children." Malik Imran Ahmad from Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Pakistan office, demanded the government to implement the Senate committee’s recommendations to further strengthen the tax system.