SPDC and SPARC workshop ends with remarks on increasing FED to reduce Tobacco

The speakers highlighted that enhancing the FED rate would help the government achieve its commitment to reducing tobacco use and tobacco-related morbidity, mortality, and associated economic costs. Such an increase would also advance Pakistan’s obligations as a signatory country to the WHO FCTC as well as generate much-needed revenues for reducing the fiscal deficit. In addition to tax measures, monitoring mechanisms and enforcement of pertinent laws should also be improved, including a track and trace system as announced by the Finance Minister in his Budget Speech for 2021-22.