In a powerful and urgent appeal ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning to Pakistan: a failure to significantly increase tobacco taxes will lead to even more devastating human and economic losses. The organization has painted a dire picture of a nation grappling with a health crisis fueled by widespread tobacco addiction.
According to WHO, tobacco is currently responsible for the deaths of 164,000 Pakistanis every year. Beyond the tragic loss of life, it is draining an alarming PKR 700 billion (approximately US$ 2.5 billion) annually from the country’s economy. The WHO has unequivocally labeled this not just a public health disaster but a “national emergency,” demanding an urgent increase in tobacco tax as a life-saving measure that Pakistan can no longer afford to delay.
“All tobacco products, without exception and regardless of manufacturer, are lethal,” emphasized Dr. Dapeng Luo, WHO Representative in Pakistan. “Tobacco is a merciless killer, destroying families, overburdening our hospitals, and stealing futures. There is no such thing as a ‘safe’ tobacco product.”
Evidence of Success: The 2023 Tax Hike
The WHO highlighted compelling evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of tobacco taxation. Following Pakistan’s Federal Excise Duty (FED) hike on cigarettes in February 2023, the country witnessed a notable decline in tobacco use by 19.2%. Furthermore, more than a quarter of smokers reported reducing their cigarette intake. This public health victory was accompanied by a significant economic benefit: government revenue from tobacco taxation skyrocketed by 66% in just one year, from PKR 142 billion to PKR 237 billion.
Urgent Need for Further Action
Despite this demonstrable success, the WHO expressed concern that Pakistan has not raised tobacco tax since February 2023. This stagnation has led to cigarettes becoming more affordable, a trend that undermines the public health gains achieved and makes tobacco products more accessible, especially to younger populations.
The current taxation level in Pakistan still falls short of the WHO’s recommended benchmark, which suggests that tobacco taxes should account for at least 75% of the retail price. This “gaping policy gap,” as experts describe it, must be closed immediately to truly curb tobacco consumption and its devastating effects.
The WHO stressed that without decisive and sustained action on tobacco taxation, the ongoing tobacco epidemic will continue to impede Pakistan’s progress towards achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and will pose a severe threat to future generations.
Having ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004, Pakistan is internationally obligated to implement effective tobacco control measures. The WHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government of Pakistan, offering ongoing technical assistance to both the Ministry of Health and the Federal Board of Revenue on critical aspects of tobacco tax policy and its robust enforcement.
The message from the World Health Organization to Pakistan is clear and uncompromising: “Raise tobacco tax now – save lives, protect futures, and rescue Pakistan’s economy.”
