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Parliament Increases Cigarette Tax to 100 Percent
The decision comes after Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) of Parliament discussed on amendment of article 20 of tobacco control law in today’s session.
“Discussions were being made over the increase of tariffs on cigarette import and three commissions asked for 300 percent increase on cigarette tax,” said Amir Khan Yar, the Head of Parliament’s Financial and Budget Commission.
MPs unanimously agreed on imposing 100 percent tax rate on cigarette; however, some of the lawmakers were against imports of tobaccos in the country.
“This law was approved years ago but it was not issued by the president,” said MP Ramazan Bashardost. “This issue should get out of the agenda and the imports of cigarette should be abandoned.”
Afghanistan is home to one of the world’s highest death rates due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), according to the World Health Organization. The leading attributable risk factor for NCDs is tobacco use.