ISLAMABAD
\nIn a concerted effort to combat the alarming rise in tobacco consumption across Pakistan, the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), alongside the Youth Advocates Against Tobacco (YAAT) clubs, held a significant event to commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2025.
\nThe event spotlighted the urgent need to protect young people from the harmful effects of tobacco and called for a critical increase in tobacco taxation to reduce smoking initiation among youth.
\nThe event served as a dynamic platform for youth voices, amplified through speeches, films, paintings, skits, rap songs, and podcasts\u2014all denouncing the tobacco industry\u2019s manipulative strategies targeting Pakistan\u2019s young population. These creative outputs conveyed a powerful message: tobacco consumption is the single greatest threat facing the nation\u2019s youth today.
\n\u201cBy channeling our voices and creativity, we are making the silent voices of tobacco\u2019s victims heard loud and clear,\u201d said a YAAT club representative. \u201cOur performances reflect the real stories behind the statistics and call for immediate action to safeguard our generation.\u201d
\nDr. Khalil Ahmad Dogar, Program Manager at SPARC, emphasized the staggering health and financial toll of tobacco, stating, \u201cTobacco causes over 160,000 deaths annually and drains our healthcare system. Increasing taxes is a life-saving measure\u2014especially for youth.\u201d
\nHe proposed a hike of Rs. 39 per cigarette packet in the Federal Excise Duty (FED) for FY 2025\u201326. Supporting this recommendation, recent data show that FED revenue growth in FY 2024\u201325 was just 4%, significantly below the 26% inflation rate over the same period. Despite a 22% increase in overall cigarette production, revenue gains were stunted due to a shift toward lower-taxed economy brands\u2014now making up 95% of production, up from 87% the previous year.
\n\u201cThe industry\u2019s narrative that illicit trade is the root of weak revenue is misleading,\u201d Dr. Khalil stated.
\nHe further added, tobacco companies have deployed deliberate tactics to evade higher taxation, including stockpiling premium brands before new tax rates take effect and illegally reclassifying premium brands as economy-tier to reduce their tax liability.
\nFor instance, Pakistan Tobacco Company cut the price of Benson & Hedges by over 70%, causing an estimated USD 24 million loss in tax revenue.
\nCh. Akram, Director of Punjab Group of Colleges, stressed the importance of educational institutions in shaping tobacco-free environments. \u201cThrough proactive engagement and wellness initiatives, we can foster a culture where tobacco use is neither accepted nor glamorized,\u201d he said.
\nThe event also celebrated individuals from academia, media, civil society, and the youth who are committed to building a tobacco-free Pakistan. Their collective efforts underscore the critical need for strong political will, higher tobacco taxes, and sustained public engagement to protect Pakistan\u2019s young generation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD In a concerted effort to combat the alarming rise in tobacco consumption across Pakistan, the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC), alongside the Youth Advocates Against Tobacco (YAAT) clubs, held a significant event to commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2025. The event spotlighted the urgent need to protect young […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-482071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n