ISLAMABAD – The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning following the Federal Cabinet’s decision to keep Federal Excise Duty (FED) rates on cigarettes unchanged in the 2025–26 federal budget.
(more…)Tag: tobacco
-
Foreign giants pressure Pakistan to slash tobacco taxes in budget
Karachi, June 8, 2025 — As the countdown to Budget 2025-26 intensifies, foreign tobacco players have launched a high-stakes pressure campaign on Pakistan, demanding the government roll back tax rates on deadly tobacco products — a move that could spell disaster for public health and national finances alike.
(more…) -
Pakistan faces tobacco epidemic with 23 million smokers
As the world observes World No Tobacco Day, alarming statistics have emerged highlighting the persistent threat of tobacco use in Pakistan. According to newly released data, over 23 million people in Pakistan are active consumers of tobacco products, underscoring a major health crisis.
(more…) -
Parliamentarians urge tobacco tax hike to protect public health
A strong collective voice from parliamentarians, public health experts, and civil society leaders has called for a significant increase in tobacco taxation in Pakistan.
(more…) -
WHO warns Pakistan: raise tobacco tax or face disaster
Islamabad, May 27, 2025 – In a powerful and urgent appeal, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a dire warning to Pakistan: raise tobacco tax now or brace for even more staggering human and economic losses.
(more…) -
No new taxes on tobacco crop, assures law minister
ISLAMABAD, May 17 — Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Friday assured the National Assembly that no new regulations or taxes have been imposed on the tobacco sector, particularly on the crop or landowners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
(more…) -
Pakistan considers tax relief for tobacco sector in FY26 budget
The federal government is currently evaluating a proposal to extend significant tax relief to the tobacco sector in the forthcoming federal budget for the fiscal year 2025–26. Industry representatives have reportedly submitted two key demands: the creation of a third excise duty tier with a lower rate of Rs 2,525 per 1,000 cigarette sticks, and a reduction in the current federal excise duty (FED) from Rs 5,050 to Rs 3,800 per 1,000 sticks.
(more…) -
Smoking poses serious health risks: FBR mulls cigarette FED hike
Islamabad, May 11, 2025 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is actively considering a significant increase in the federal excise duty (FED) on cigarettes in the upcoming 2025–26 budget, citing the severe health risks posed by smoking.
(more…) -
Foreign tobacco giants urge Aurangzeb to reform duty structure
Islamabad, May 9, 2025 – Major international tobacco companies have urged Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to reform Pakistan’s excise duty framework in order to combat illicit trade, increase tax revenue, and stabilize the formal tobacco sector.
(more…) -
PTC Highlights TTS Failures in Tackling Illicit Tobacco Trade
Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) has expressed concerns that the implementation of the Track and Trace System (TTS) has not been effective in curbing the illicit trade of cigarettes as originally intended.
(more…)