New York, Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has called for heightened taxes on tobacco products as a measure to discourage smoking, likening the threat posed by smoking to that of environmental degradation. This statement was made during an event in Islamabad aimed at educating children about the dangers of smoking.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Solangi highlighted the significant impact of smoking on public health and the economy. During his address, he pointed out the visible effects of smoking in daily life and emphasized its contribution to escalating healthcare costs.

The information minister drew attention to the alarming statistic that smoking is responsible for the death of one person every six seconds, accounting for one in ten deaths globally. He stated that, like other harmful substances, the risks of smoking need to be more prominently communicated to the public.

In his tribute to the individuals engaged in the fight against smoking, Solangi stressed the importance of implementing fiscal policies, such as increasing tobacco taxes, as a deterrent. He suggested that higher taxation on tobacco products could be an effective strategy to reduce smoking rates, thereby protecting public health and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.

The call for increased tobacco taxes comes amid growing concerns about the health and economic impacts of smoking, reinforcing the need for effective policies to combat this global issue.