Islamabad: Feb 18, 2022 (TNS): Pakistan National Heart Association organized a consultative session with the parliamentarians titled “Tobacco Taxation Policy”, in Islamabad today [Friday], discussing the hazards of tobacco and the steps that could be taken to discourage smoking amongst the youth.
It was noted that the tobacco annually takes lives of one hundred and seventy thousand people.
The parliamentarians were urged to raise their voice for increasing tax on tobacco as it will prove to be an effective policy to reduce smoking amongst the youth.
Alluding to a research carried out Pakistan Institute of Development Economics last year, Secretary General of Pakistan National Heart Association Sanaullah Ghuman said the country is facing loss of six hundred and fifteen billion rupees every year due to tobacco related diseases whilst the revenue accrued from the tobacco industry is mere 120 billion rupees. He suggested the government enhance tax on tobacco related products by at least thirty percent.
Different segments of the society also participated in the consultative session.
