Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb should play his role in strengthening the country’s economy by imposing tax on tobacco. Experts

Experts and anti-tobacco activists have recommended increasing tobacco taxes to strengthen the economy. The Society for the Protection of Rights of the Child, in a statement, welcomed the appointment of Muhammad Aurangzeb as finance minister and urged him to consider tobacco tax as a possible tool to strengthen the economy.

Such initiatives could potentially offer the dual benefits of alleviating economic hardship while simultaneously advancing the nation’s health agenda. Country Head of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) Malik Imran Ahmed appealed to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to acknowledge the major challenge posed by tobacco use in Pakistan.

With about 31.9 million adults using tobacco, which is 19.7 percent of the adult population, the impact on public health and the economy cannot be ignored, he said.

Rabia Syed, director of IBC, said that by increasing the tax on cigarettes by 26%, Pakistan can get an additional revenue of 17 billion rupees. He said that this proposal uses tobacco as described by WHO
It is also consistent with broader public health goals by discouraging.

These suggestions of experts were prominently published by domestic and international media in their publications. See the featured links of these news

Link to news in Daily Jang

https://e.jang.com.pk/detail/648863

Link to news in leading English magazine The Nation

https://www.nation.com.pk/15-Mar-2024/new-minister-welcome-urged-for-taxing-tobacco

News link on urdu point

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/

News link on GNN

https://gnnhd.tv/news/32311/new-minister-welcomed-urged-for-taxing-tobacco

News link on Sama News

https://www.samaa.tv/2087311424-new-finance-minister-urged-to-prioritize-tobacco-tax-increase

News link on ARY News

https://urdu.arynews.tv/recommending-increase-in-tax-on-cigarettes/