Pakistan Tobacco Company expressed concern over abundance of foreign cigarettes in market
Spokesperson says illegal cigarette market share was 2.8 billion cigarettes in January 2023, while it has increased to 4.8 billion cigarettes in March 2023
Spokesperson of Pakistan Tobacco Company said foreign cigarettes are being smuggled into Pakistan from Afghanistan and Iran. Customs duties, taxes are evaded on foreign cigarettes, while market share of illegal cigarettes increased to 39 percent in two months.
In a statement issued by spokesperson of Pakistan Tobacco Company, it has been said that the availability of smuggled cigarettes has increased by 200% in the last two months.
According to the spokesperson, 70 new smuggled cigarette brands have entered the market in the country during the last two months.
According to spokesperson of Pakistan Tobacco Company, market share of Pakistan Tobacco Company in January 2023 was 4.8 billion cigarettes.
Spokesperson of Pakistan Tobacco Company has said that market share of Pakistan Tobacco Company has decreased to 2.6 billion cigarettes in February 2023. By March 2023, Pakistan Tobacco Company’s market share has reached 1.8 billion cigarettes.
According to spokesperson, illegal cigarette market share in January 2023 was 2.8 billion cigarettes. In February 2023, the illegal cigarette market share has increased to 4.6 billion cigarettes. In March 2023, the illegal cigarette market share has increased to 4.8 billion cigarettes.
The spokesperson of Pakistan Tobacco Company says that from July 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, Pakistan Tobacco Company has submitted a tax of 92 billion.
According to the spokesperson of Pakistan Tobacco Company, Pakistan Tobacco Company is likely to collect 135 billion rupees in taxes by the end of this financial year.
The spokesperson of Pakistan Tobacco Company says that despite the 20% increase in excise duty, government revenue has increased by only 14%.
The statement also said that the packs of foreign cigarettes available in the market do not have pictorial and health warnings approved by the Government of Pakistan.
