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Pakistan loses an estimated 164,000 lives and US$2.5 billion (Rs700 billion) annually due to tobacco-related diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which is urging urgent tax hikes to curb consumption and save lives.
In a statement ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, WHO warned that tobacco use remains a severe public health threat, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children and teenagers.
Despite past efforts, all tobacco products remain extremely harmful, regardless of brand or manufacturer.
“Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don’t quit. It overstretches health systems and harms even non-smokers,” said Dr Dapeng Luo, WHO Representative in Pakistan. “There is no such thing as a safe tobacco product.”
In 2023, a tax hike led to a 19.2 percent decline in tobacco use. Revenue from Federal Excise Duty (FED) rose by 66 percent, increasing from PKR 142 billion to PKR 237 billion.
However, no tax increases have been made since February 2023, making tobacco more affordable and undermining health gains.
WHO recommends that taxes comprise at least 75 percent of the retail price, a target Pakistan has yet to reach.
WHO continues to support the Ministry of National Health Services and the Federal Board of Revenue in implementing stricter tobacco tax policies and a track-and-trace system.
“Tobacco is a burden not only on public health but also on the economy, our communities, and future generations,” Dr Luo added.
WHO urged immediate action to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and safeguard Pakistan’s health future.
