The imperative for the government to elevate both health and economic objectives is underscored by the pressing need to raise taxes on cigarettes. This imperative coincides with the imminent commencement of negotiations on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Agreement and the pivotal Budget Planning for 2024-25.

This was stated by the health activists, in a press release by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) here on Tuesday.

Country Head of CTFK, Malik Imran Ahmad focusing on long-term public health and economic stability, emphasized the interconnected relationship between reduced tobacco consumption, improved health outcomes, and enhanced revenue streams.

Prioritising tobacco taxation in the forthcoming budget would not only safeguard public health but also propel the nation towards achieving its fiscal targets and commitments, he affirmed.

To Propel Health and Economy Forward, Ahmad advocated for a 26.6% Federal Excise Duty (FED) increase on cigarettes, a move projected to recuperate 19.8% of healthcare expenditures associated with smoking-related diseases. He emphasized that this measure aligns with the impending IMF Agreement negotiations, contributing substantially to revenue generation crucial for budgetary allocations.

Malik Imran highlighted that the government would benefit from increased revenue from tobacco products, potentially averting the need for an increase in petrol prices and subsequent rises in commodity prices. This strategic approach would provide much-needed relief to the public amidst economic challenges.

Program Manager at SPARC, Dr. Khalil Ahmad Dogar stressed the pivotal role of increased cigarette taxes in deterring tobacco use among youth and low-income individuals. He reiterated that higher prices serve as effective deterrents, particularly for price-sensitive demographics such as youth and the low-income population. He urged the government to leverage tobacco taxation not only to curb smoking initiation among youth but also to fortify public health initiatives and healthcare services.

Dr. Khalil Dogar emphasised that policymakers must fulfill their electoral promises by taking decisive action against the tobacco industry. This includes continuous and consistent raises in tobacco taxation, the implementation of a single tax tier system, across-the-board implementation of the Track and Trace System, and maintaining a clear separation from the tobacco industry.