ISLAMABAD, (Parliament Times) : Pakistan National Heart Association Panah General Secretary and Director Operations Sanaullah Ghumman said that this year’s budget will be difficult and important for the government.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Muftah Ismail are holding important meetings for the forthcoming budget, in which budget related proposals are being discussed.
We urge the government, as a public representative, to seriously consider raising taxes on tobacco and sugary drinks, the two non-essential factors contributing to the rise in disease.
An increase in taxes on them would not only generate an annual revenue of Rs 105 billion to the national exchequer, but would also significantly reduce the health burden and reduce the incidence of diseases. This revenue would help in the completion of development projects.
Due to smoking and sugary drinks making people sick badly specially our young generation.
causing many dangerous diseases including heart, obesity, diabetes, cancer.
Many researchers said that One of effective way to prevent this is to increase taxes.
Sanaullah Ghumman appealed to the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister that it is the duty of the government to safe the health of the people.
Smoking and sugar sweetened beverages are not a sign of health, they are one of major cause of diseases, the government should increase taxes on them, so that the health problems of the people can be solved.