The research paper "The Need for Taxation to Reduce Tobacco Affordability in Pakistan" highlights the urgent requirement for increased tobacco taxation as a key measure to reduce smoking prevalence and associated health risks. Despite being a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Pakistan's tobacco taxation policies remain weak and ineffective due to inconsistent enforcement, political and legal challenges, and the tobacco industry’s influence. The study discusses the two-tiered tax system, noting that changes in tax structures, including the introduction of a third tier in 2017, led to a significant drop in cigarette prices, making tobacco more affordable. As a result, cigarette consumption remained high, with tax rates failing to meet the WHO-recommended benchmark of 70% of retail price. The paper argues that while countries like the Philippines, India, and Thailand have successfully implemented high tobacco taxes to curb smoking and increase revenue, Pakistan has yet to effectively earmark tobacco tax revenues for public health programs. The authors advocate for higher and more uniform taxation, the removal of industry influence, and the implementation of a dedicated health levy to support tobacco control efforts and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention programs. The study concludes that without strong policy interventions and proper enforcement, tobacco affordability in Pakistan will continue to rise, undermining public health objectives.
