Categories: Business

Illicit cigarette sale increases to 60 per cent

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) shared the latest market trends and informed that the sale of illicit (smuggled, tax evaded and counterfeit) cigarettes has increased to around 60 percent in South Punjab, resulting in a loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer.

While addressing the media in Multan, Business Development Analyst Mohsin Ali mentioned that South Punjab has been the most affected by tax-evaded and smuggled brands, which are being openly sold at retail outlets.

After successive increases in excise duties, consumers have moved to cheaper, tax evaded and smuggled cigarette options which are illegal. The irony is that these cigarette brands are openly sold in the market as enforcement has not been able to create the desired level of deterrence.

A market visit was conducted to different areas in Multan by media personnel to overview the growing trend of illicit cigarettes and how laws are openly being flouted. It is important to note that the government of Pakistan has set the minimum price of a pack of cigarettes at Rs 127.44, which is not being enforced in letter and spirit.

Majority of the cigarette brands are being sold at prices ranging from Rs.80 to Rs.130. It was also observed that majority of the cigarettes being sold were without Track and Trace Stamps.

Smuggled cigarettes of various brands were also available which were being sold without Graphical Health Warning. Illicit cigarette manufacturers are openly flouting rules and regulations through free cigarette packets and reward schemes among other activities.

In order to curb this growing trend of illicit cigarettes, the government must sensitize its Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) against this organized crime network and take strict action against the sale and distribution network of the tax-evaded cigarette industry. (APP)

The Frontier Post

Recent Posts

Noncitizen voting, already illegal in federal elections, becomes a centerpiece of 2024 GOP messaging

NEW YORK (AP): One political party is holding urgent news conferences and congressional hearings over…

52 mins ago

Fighting rages in Gaza’s Rafah

GAZA (AFP): Heavy clashes and bombardment Saturday rocked Gaza's southern city of Rafah, witnesses said,…

1 hour ago

Austria to resume aid to UN agency for Palestinians

VIENNA (AFP): Austria said Saturday it will restore its funding to the UN agency for…

1 hour ago

Oil tanker hit by missile off Yemen: security firm

DUBAI (AFP): A crude oil tanker was hit by a missile off the coast of…

1 hour ago

North Korea confirms missile launch, Kim Jong Un vows bolstered nuclear force

PYONGYANG (AFP): North Korea has test-fired a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a "new autonomous…

1 hour ago

Israeli leaders split over post-war Gaza governance

JERUSALEM (AFP): New divisions have emerged among Israel’s leaders over post-war Gaza’s governance, with an…

1 hour ago

This website uses cookies.