ISLAMABAD: Young advocates from the Youth Advocates Against Tobacco Club have urged the government to significantly raise taxes on tobacco products, warning that tobacco use places a staggering burden of Rs 615 billion annually on Pakistan’s healthcare system — far outweighing the revenue generated from tobacco taxation.
Speaking at a press conference held at the National Press Club Islamabad under the theme “Our Future, Our Fight Against Tobacco — organized by Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) — the youth representatives called for immediate action to safeguard the health of future generations.
Highlighting alarming statistics, they revealed that over 160,000 people die annually in Pakistan due to tobacco-related illnesses, and more than 1,200 children begin smoking every day.
Ahsan Amin, a youth representative, stressed that tobacco is the gravest threat to Pakistan’s youth. “Tobacco not only harms health but fuels addiction, disease, and poverty — stealing our future. We need urgent action now.”
Shafia Asad, another club member, emphasized the importance of strong financial policies, noting that increasing tobacco prices through taxation is the most effective way to reduce consumption. “Higher prices make tobacco unaffordable for youth and discourage new users,” she said, urging the government to raise tobacco taxes significantly in the upcoming fiscal year and allocate the revenue for health and education programs.
Mohammad Hadi exposed deceptive marketing tactics used by the tobacco industry to attract youth, including flavored products, flashy packaging, and misleading campaigns. “These strategies are designed to hook the younger generation. We must raise awareness and push back to prevent more lives from being lost,” he added.
Yahya Shamshad highlighted the broader benefits of youth empowerment in public health campaigns. “When young people take charge of issues like tobacco control, they drive meaningful change that impacts society and national development.”
At the end of the press conference, youth leaders pledged unity against tobacco and nicotine products by taking an Anti-Tobacco Oath. They committed to promoting a smoke-free future and encouraging peers to make healthier, informed choices.
The event concluded with a symbolic awareness walk, where youth participants joined civil society leaders carrying banners with messages such as “Say No to Tobacco,” “Secure Our Future,” “Save Health, Save Economy, and “Tobacco Kills — Act Now!” The walk aimed to visually amplify the urgency of tobacco control and draw public and media attention to the issue.
