Pakistan Loss of 567 billion rupees to the national treasury due to cigarettes

 Loss of 567 billion rupees to the national treasury due to cigarettes

Avoidance of tax on cigarettes and lack of clear strategy is the reason, IBC

According to the Indus Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), the national exchequer has lost 567 billion rupees in the last seven years due to the avoidance of taxing cigarettes to protect public health and the lack of a clear strategy in this regard. Is.

According to details, the IBC has exposed the staggering losses to the national exchequer in a policy paper titled Revision of Tobacco Taxation in Pakistan.



The IBC has recommended to the government that the tobacco tax policy be harmonized with WHO guidelines and freed from industry influence.

The policy paper recommended prioritizing public health over industry interests while recognizing the health and economic burden of cigarette use. The lack of a clear strategy on cigarette taxation and the undue influence of the cigarette industry have played a key role in this economic setback.

The policy paper added that a three-tier system was introduced in 2017, which was a reflection of industry influence on decision-making. Sharing the details and factors behind the decision to introduce the system, Indus Broadcasting Corporation said multinational cigarette companies used deceptive tactics with exaggerated estimates of illegal trade to convince the government. areHowever, the World Bank in a report refuted the major claims regarding illegal trade.