Islamabad- Minister of National Health Services Aamir Mehmood Kiani recently announced the government’s plan of imposing sin tax on cigarettes, tobacco and soft drinks. He stated that sin tax imposition was one of the routes to higher healthcare budget.
Pakistan will be the second country after the Philippines to impose a sin tax on cigarettes.
Ever since the announcement of ‘gunnah tax’ on cigarettes and beverages, there has been an uproar from masses on social media. People in Pakistan have taken exception to the use of the word gunnah (sin) in the term ‘gunnah tax.’
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) minister Faisal Vawda also joined the chorus against the move. Vawda tweeted, “I’m a chain cigarette smoker myself, and I appreciate all the measures taken by the government to discourage smoking and I understand it’s injurious to health but this term ‘Gunnah Tax’ is inappropriate. If this is gunnah, then what would we name and term the actual gunnahs.”
People creating a fuss over the term ‘sin tax’ probably do not realize that PTI did not invent it. In fact sin tax was introduced as levy on products that were injurious to health, like tobacco and alcohol. The UK and USA were among the first countries to impose this tax several years ago.
Citing the examples of the UAE and the UK, Director General of National Health Services Asad Hafeez said that a tax on cigarettes and sugary beverages is being imposed in 45 other countries. He also explained how India uses the money received from imposing a tax on gutka and pan masala in the healthcare sector.
KARACHI – Cigarettes kill or are considered harmful with warnings on all cigarette packs. However a well known cigarette brand is selling expired ...
Karachi: PDA (Sindh) in collaboration with PDA (Central Council) held a meeting recently to discuss the recent imposed 13% Sales Tax on Dentists.
Live webinar
Thu. 11 September 2025
10:00 pm PKT (Islamabad)
Live webinar
Mon. 15 September 2025
10:00 pm PKT (Islamabad)
Prof. Dr. med. dent. Stefan Wolfart
Live webinar
Tue. 16 September 2025
8:00 pm PKT (Islamabad)
Prof. Dr. Dr. Florian Guy Draenert
Live webinar
Tue. 16 September 2025
9:30 pm PKT (Islamabad)
Dr. Kay Vietor, Birgit Sayn
Live webinar
Tue. 16 September 2025
10:00 pm PKT (Islamabad)
Dr. Paweł Aleksandrowicz PhD
Live webinar
Wed. 17 September 2025
5:00 am PKT (Islamabad)
Live webinar
Wed. 17 September 2025
3:30 pm PKT (Islamabad)
International / International
Brazil / Brasil
Canada / Canada
Latin America / Latinoamérica
USA / USA
Austria / Österreich
Bosnia and Herzegovina / Босна и Херцеговина
Bulgaria / България
Croatia / Hrvatska
Czech Republic & Slovakia / Česká republika & Slovensko
France / France
Germany / Deutschland
Greece / ΕΛΛΑΔΑ
Hungary / Hungary
Italy / Italia
Netherlands / Nederland
Nordic / Nordic
Poland / Polska
Portugal / Portugal
Romania & Moldova / România & Moldova
Slovenia / Slovenija
Serbia & Montenegro / Србија и Црна Гора
Spain / España
Switzerland / Schweiz
Turkey / Türkiye
UK & Ireland / UK & Ireland
China / 中国
India / भारत गणराज्य
Japan / 日本
Vietnam / Việt Nam
ASEAN / ASEAN
Israel / מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל
Algeria, Morocco & Tunisia / الجزائر والمغرب وتونس
Middle East / Middle East
Dr. Jenny Apekian DDSRegister now1CELive webinar
Prof. Dr. med. dent. Stefan WolfartRegister now1CELive webinar
Dr. Paweł Aleksandrowicz PhDRegister now1CELive webinar
Dr. Ashton Prince DMDRegister now1CE:sharpen(level=0):output(format=png)/up/dt/2022/01/Sprintray_Logo_2506x700.png "SprintRay")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/zohaib-khurshid-editor-in-chief-ejgd-dti.jpg "Pakistani researcher Dr. Zohaib Khurshid appointed Editor-in-Chief of European Journal of General Dentistry")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/pda-karachi-webinar-series-2025-dti.jpg "PDA-Karachi launches exclusive webinar series for dental professionals")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/dental-photography-workshop-duhs-2025-dti.jpg "Capture & Chart: Hands-on dental photography workshop at DUHS")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/lcmd-dental-camp-special-needs-karachi-dti.jpg "LCMD dental camp brings oral health awareness to children with special needs")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/lcmd-poster-designing-workshop-bds-students-dti.jpg "LCMD's poster designing workshop empowers BDS students with essential skills")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/07/3dprinting.jpg "3D printing")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/07/aligners.jpg "aligners")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2022/01/Sprintray_Logo_2506x700.png "SprintRay"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2014/02/MIS.png "MIS Implants Technologies")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2023/08/Neoss_Logo_new.png "Neoss"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/07/DDG_Logo_2025_04_2lines.png "DirectaDentalGroup"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2011/07/fdi.png "FDI World Dental Federation")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2013/03/LM-Dental.png "LM Dental")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/359368/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 4, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/356411/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 3, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/352978/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 2, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/350537/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 1, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/347776/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 6, 2024")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/345123/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 5, 2024")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2019/02/sin-tax-1.jpg "‘Sin tax’ on cigarettes, sugary beverages draws flak")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/zohaib-khurshid-editor-in-chief-ejgd-dti.jpg "Pakistani researcher Dr. Zohaib Khurshid appointed Editor-in-Chief of European Journal of General Dentistry")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/wp-content/themes/dt/images/no-user.gif "DT Pakistan")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2017/01/87fcf5e1d1a8060e21d27515ab1eb3d2.jpg "Killer Cigarettes on sale")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/04/Sindh-Revenue-Board-cracks-down-on-tax-evasion-in-cosmetic-dental-surgery-sector.jpg "Sindh Revenue Board cracks down on tax evasion in cosmetic & dental surgery sector")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/04/PDA-proposes-collaborative-solutions-urges-SRB-to-halt-direct-notices-to-dentists.jpg "Sindh Revenue Board cracks down on tax evasion in cosmetic & dental surgery sector")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/05/PDA-Karachi-steps-in-amid-SRBs-renewed-tax-notices-to-dentists.jpg "PDA Karachi steps in amid SRB’s renewed tax notices to dentists")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2016/10/2bcaeb947dbd1b2497400a93d39963af.jpg "PDA (Sindh) Calls Meeting on Sales Tax Issue")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/05/DTI-Karachi-Dental-Professionals-Seminar-Mastering-SRB-Tax-Compliance-SHCC-Registratio.jpg "Karachi Dental Professionals Seminar: Mastering SRB Tax Compliance & SHCC Registration")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2023/12/DT-WEB-FTO-orders-audit-of-medical-college-filing-NIL-tax-returns.jpg "FTO orders audit of medical college filing NIL tax returns")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2024/10/DT-WEB-Sir-Syed-College-holds-moot-on-AI-in-dentistry.jpg "Sir Syed College holds moot on AI in dentistry")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2024/10/DT-WEB-Lecture-on-innovation-in-endodontics.jpg "Lecture on innovation in endodontics")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/05/Insightful-lecture-on-non-surgical-endodontic-retreatment.jpg "Insightful lecture on non-surgical endodontic retreatment inspires dental community in Sheikhupura, Punjab")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/zohaib-khurshid-editor-in-chief-ejgd-dti.jpg "Pakistani researcher Dr. Zohaib Khurshid appointed Editor-in-Chief of European Journal of General Dentistry")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/pda-karachi-webinar-series-2025-dti.jpg "PDA-Karachi launches exclusive webinar series for dental professionals")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/dental-photography-workshop-duhs-2025-dti.jpg "Capture & Chart: Hands-on dental photography workshop at DUHS")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/356411/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 3, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/352978/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 2, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/350537/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 1, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/347776/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 6, 2024")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/345123/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 5, 2024")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/359368/1.jpg "DT Pakistan No. 4, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/359368/2.jpg "ISSUE")