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:
-
Graphic warnings & standardized packaging
-
Robust anti‑advertising measures
-
Support programs for quitting smoking
-
Regulations for emerging nicotine products
-
School-based awareness campaigns
-
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.
