The Government should increase taxes at least 30% to protect youth from the harmful effects of tobacco.( GS PANAH).

Sana Ullah Ghumman, General Secretary and Director Operations of Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), said that not a single rupee has been added to the tax on tobacco products in the last five years, as a result of which Access to tobacco products has become easier. Tobacco industry selling  their products in a different and interested way. Weekly lectures on the harmful effects of tobacco should be organized in educational institutions. The government should take practical steps and increase the tax on tobacco products by at least 30%.

Expressing deep concern over the widespread use of tobacco products among the younger generation, Sana Ullah Ghumman said that along with the government, society and educational institutions should play their  role to keep safe our  young generation, especially young girls, out of reach of tobacco. Lectures on the negative effects of tobacco products should be given on a weekly basis in educational institutions.

He said that It is the responsibility of the state to play its role in keeping harmful things out of the reach of the people, which is detrimental. Access to tobacco products has become commonplace, largely due to the lack of increase in tobacco product tax , which has resulted in lower cigarette prices, where cheap and open cigarettes of various brands are easily available. The government should to increase the tax on tobacco products by at least 30% to keep students away from tobacco products, so that our youth can be protected from diseases caused by tobacco and also reduce the health burden on the government.