ISLAMABAD: Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has asked Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to remove the third slab of cigarettes before the upcoming budget.
The official sources said that health ministry has put its concerns before the FBR, finance division and legislative bodies dealing with tobacco industry to end the third slab. He claimed that the easy accessibility of the third slab of cigarettes to the customers created the biggest hurdle for health ministry in reducing tobacco consumption.
The ministry has asked FBR to implement only two slabs which are in international practice and end the third slab which covers the price from Rs35 to 55 approximately, added official.
The official said that the low price cigarettes have led to an increase in tobacco consumption in the country which has ultimately resulted in a rise in tobacco-related diseases in the country such as lung and mouth cancer. “The ministry wanted to end this slab in upcoming budget while the finance standing committee has also recommended it,” said the official.
