Speakers demanded health levy of Rs. 10 per pack of cigarettes
Islamabad-20
June, 2019: Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC)
organized a session to encourage health levy on tobacco products.
Speakers
appreciated the Prime Minister Khan’s decision approval for rolling back the
third slab of federal excise duty introduced by the last government and his
commitment regarding health of people and raised deep concern for not imposing
health tax of Rs.10 per pack of cigarette.
Sajjad Ahmad
Cheema Executive Director, SPARC highlighted government has ignored the cabinet’s decision on imposing a
health tax on cigarettes in the budget for fiscal year 2019-20 in a bid to
generate funds for development of the health sector. He further
added the tobacco industry has always
portrayed high figures of illicit trade to strengthen their business against
tobacco control legislation and enforcement of laws. Sajjad Ahmed Cheema
further added Government should be aware about obsolete arguments and propaganda
of tobacco industry and need to ignore these arguments.
Ch.
Sana Ullah Ghuman, General Secretary, Pakistan Heart Association (PANAH) said Prime Minister
Imran Khan has approved a plan to increase taxes on the cigarette manufacturing
industry in the upcoming budget for 2019-20 in a bid to enhance revenue
collection and discourage its use. However, certain lobbyists
appeared to be influencing the affairs and the decision on health levy was not
implemented.
We are demanding from government to impose health tax on cigarette.
Rana Iradat Sharif Khan, Member
National Assembly spoke on the smoking habits of
youngsters; growing habits of smoking in youngers is the initial step to get
attracted for drugs. He highlighted the crucial role of anti-smoking campaign
reducing the health risks in schools and colleges. We need to condemn the
smoking habits in youngsters.
Mr. Zahid Shafiq, Program Manager, Human Development Foundation (HDF) added that
considering the fact that increase in dollar price has had an effect of the
increase in the price of basic goods for living. As civil society organizations
and anxious for better future generation of Pakistan we are seriously concerned
why health tax is not been imposed on tobacco industry in the Pakistan. Health
tax on tobacco products will not only reduce the health bill of government of
Pakistan and contribute to clean and healthy environment for future
generations. We urge to Government of Pakistan to impose the health tax on
cigarettes immediately to save our nation.
END