Market Share Of Illegal Cigarettes Increases By 39% In Last Two Months: PTC

• 200pc in availability of smuggled cigarettes witnessed in last two months
• 70 new smuggled cigarette brands have entered the market
• Market share of PTC reduces to 2.6 billion cigarettes

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) has expressed its concern over increase in smuggling of illegal cigarettes in the country, saying that the market share of illegal cigarettes has increased by 39% in the last two months.

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Market share of PTC reduces to 2.6 billion cigarettes

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200pc in availability of smuggled cigarettes witnessed in last two months

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70 new smuggled cigarette brands have entered the market

It further said that the 200 percent in the availability of smuggled cigarettes has been witnessed in the last two months.

The PTC maintained that during the last two months, 70 new smuggled cigarette brands have entered the market, adding that in January 2023, the market share of Pakistan Tobacco Company was 4.8 billion cigarettes whereas in February 2023, the market share of PTC has reduced to 2.6 billion cigarettes.

By March 2023, the market share of Pakistan Tobacco Company has reached 1.8 billion cigarettes. In January 2023, the illicit cigarette market was estimated at 2.8 billion cigarettes. In February 2023, the illegal cigarette market has grown to 4.6 billion cigarettes.

 In March 2023, the illegal cigarette market has grown to 4.8 billion cigarettes.

From July 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, Pakistan Tobacco Company submitted a tax of 92 billion.

By the end of this financial year, Pakistan Tobacco Company is expected to submit 135 billion rupees in taxes.Despite a 20 percent increase in excise duty, the government revenue increased by only 14 percent.

The PTC said that foreign cigarettes are being smuggled into Pakistan from Afghanistan and Iran. Customs duty, taxes on foreign cigarettes are evaded and moreover foreign cigarette packs do not carry pictorial health warnings approved by the Government of Pakistan.

Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited is a Pakistani tobacco manufacturing company which is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco. It is headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan and is the biggest cigarette maker in Pakistan. It has two factories which are located in Akora Khattak, and Jhelum.