Plain packaging of cigarette packs would only promote illicit cigarette trade because consumers would shift to smuggled products hence there would be reduced demand for local tobacco which will negatively impact livelihood of 80,000 farmers affiliated with tobacco cultivation.
This was stated by president, Anjuman Kashtkaran & Tobacco, Hazara Division, Rustam Khan Swati in statement issued from his office.
He has voiced grave concern over the ongoing debate in both national and international media to introduce plain packaging on cigarette packs. "Such move is tantamount to putting the already dying tobacco sector to rest. It would prove to be the last nail in the coffin," said Haji Rustam Khan.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, he said, tobacco has been cultivated over generations. "Farms and infrastructure have been developed for this purpose. Farmers have invested heavily in their flue-cure barns and equipment which is specific to tobacco cultivation.
Plain packaging will most likely to lead to a reduced demand for locally manufactured cigarettes which will in turn affect the demand of tobacco from the farmers. This is bound to increase unemployment and the farmers will incur heavy losses on their investment. We cannot allow such an excessive regulatory measure to go through and will fight it for our survival, come what may," he reiterated.
Swati said that their association would go to any length to oppose plain packaging law and demanded that government should not encourage such excessive regulatory measures which are bound to deprive poor farmers of their bread and butter.
Comments
Comments are closed.