Pakistan urged to align tobacco policies with WHO guidelines

Pakistan has made strides in increasing tobacco taxes, yet it falls short of fully adhering to the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations. The WHO advises that tobacco excise taxes should make up at least 70% of the retail price. Currently, the Federal Excise Duty (FED) share in retail prices for cigarettes in Pakistan is 48% for low-tier and 68% for high-tier products. Pakistan became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005.

Despite these efforts, Pakistan ranks 32nd in the Global Tobacco Index for 2023, with tobacco taxes accounting for 61% of the retail price, below the recommended global standard. The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids is calling on the government to align its policies with WHO guidelines to save lives. The Social Policy Development Centre suggests a 37% increase in FED in the upcoming fiscal year's budget to not only save lives but also generate revenue and promote smoking cessation.

Over the past seven years, Pakistan has lost Rs 567 billion in revenue due to lobbying against tax hikes by cigarette companies. The country faces high tobacco consumption rates, with approximately 31.6 million adults using tobacco products, resulting in around 160,000 deaths annually and significant healthcare costs.

In conclusion, Pakistan's efforts to raise tobacco taxes are commendable, but there is room for improvement to fully align with WHO recommendations. Implementing higher excise taxes can not only save lives but also generate much-needed revenue and encourage individuals to quit smoking, ultimately leading to a healthier population and reduced healthcare expenses.