Local cigarette companies violating advertising, minimum price laws

ISLAMABAD: Local cigarette companies in Pakistan are openly violating national advertising laws, despite the Tobacco Prohibition Act 2002, which bans such practices.

As World No-Tobacco Day is being observed today, aimed at drawing attention to the tobacco epidemic, the government authorities in Pakistan have failed to enforce tobacco-related laws.

Daily Ausaf learnt that local cigarette companies are offering enticing prizes to customers, including a return ticket to Dubai with the purchase of a cigarette pack, and motorcycles, mobile phones, and cash prizes to attract customers.

The prizes offered by these companies are illegal under the laws of the Ministry of Health.

Moreover, local cigarette brands are widely available at cheap prices, ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 150 per pack, which is below the government-set minimum price of Rs 162.25, sources said.

This is due to tax evasion, resulting in billions of rupees in losses to the treasury annually.

The cheap cigarettes and illegal advertising campaigns are attracting the younger generation to smoke. This raises concerns about the health and well-being of Pakistan’s youth.

The major markets of local cigarette companies are Punjab and Sindh, sources said.

Despite these violations, government agencies have failed to take action against these companies.

The owners of these companies allegedly have political influence, being members of the Senate and National Assembly, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant standing committees, which may be contributing to the lack of enforcement.

Sources said that due to political influence, government agencies do not take action against these local cigarette companies.

Local and international NGOs are also completely silent on the violations of the laws by local cigarette companies.