Pakistan sees record tobacco tax revenue, major drop in cigarette production: WHO

Pakistan Earns Record Rs298 Billion from Tobacco Taxes in 2024—But Other Controls Lag

In 2024, Pakistan achieved a significant public health and fiscal milestone by generating approximately Rs298 billion (~US$1.1 billion) from tobacco taxes—thanks to bold and strategic tax policy reforms

📉 Dramatic Results from Tax Changes

Between 2022 and 2023, Pakistan introduced sweeping tax reforms:

• Tripled cigarette taxes

• Doubled the minimum cigarette price from PKR 63 to PKR 127

• Tracked closely by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and WHO collaboration

These measures led to a 28% drop in legal cigarette production and a sharp rise in tax revenues—from Rs237 billion in 2023–24 to Rs298 billion in 2024

🚨 Where Pakistan Still Falls Short

Despite achievements in taxation, Pakistan lags significantly in other key tobacco control areas under the WHO’s MPOWER framework 

• Monitoring: Tobacco use tracking is underdeveloped

• Protecting: Lack of strong smoke-free zones

• Offering: Weak support for quitting smoking

• Warning: No mandated large pictorial health warnings

• Enforcing: Advertising and sponsorship still widespread

Only the ‘Raise’ component—taxation—has been effectively implemented.

📊 Comparisons & International Standards

• Globally, 75% of the world’s population enjoys at least one MPOWER best-practice measure

• Pakistan remains among the 40 countries with no implemented best-practice policies.

• Neighbors like India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have stronger warnings, packaging rules, and advertising bans.

Additionally, Pakistan has yet to regulate e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, unlike 133 countries worldwide, including 42 that have outright bans

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted both wins and warnings:

✅ What Should Happen Next

To build on these gains, experts recommend:

1. Graphic warnings & standardized packaging

2. Robust anti‑advertising measures

3. Support programs for quitting smoking

4. Regulations for emerging nicotine products

5. School-based awareness campaigns

6. Improved monitoring & evaluation

Without taking these steps, Pakistan risks stalling momentum and remaining vulnerable to tobacco industry influence.

Bottom line: Pakistan’s historic tobacco tax success offers a powerful model—but lasting public health impact will require a full MPOWER strategy.