World No Tobacco Day: Murtaza Solangi says tax on tobacco industry should be increased

Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Murtaza Solangi has said that the tobacco tax should be increased to save the youth and the economy.

Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) organized an event to combat tobacco use in Pakistan on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day in a bid to highlight anti-smoking initiatives.

Speaking on this occasion, Murtaza Solangi said that the largest number of young people in history were addicted to smoking, but due to the lack of strict measures against tobacco control in Pakistan, this addiction has not been controlled.

Solangi highlighted the health and future of the youth are at extreme risk due to tobacco addiction.  

“Addiction to tobacco and nicotine is causing serious health problems among the youth. If the efforts of the tobacco industry to attract the youth are not stopped, more people will be addicted to smoking leading to a decline in the country,” he warned.

The former information minister said deaths and illnesses will be increased further in case of no control on tobacco.

He added that Pakistan faces a major challenge of tobacco control on a large scale, with 31.9 million adults aged 15 years and above suffering from addiction.

Smoking-related diseases claim more than 160,000 lives annually, both the World Health Organization and the World Bank have consistently recommended Pakistan to increase taxes on tobacco, added.

A 26.6 percent increase in the Federal Excise Duty (FED) for the year 2024-25 could be a significant step. He said the initiative will help with health care costs and also keep millions of people away from smoking.