Tosima Karki Urges Government To Raise Tobacco Tax To At Least 50%

Karki’s statement has brought fresh attention to Nepal’s tobacco tax policy. Public health experts have long argued that increasing tobacco tax can help reduce smoking and tobacco use, especially among young people and low-income groups. Since tobacco products become more expensive after tax hikes, fewer people may start using them, and some existing users may cut down or quit.

The proposal is still a demand, not a final government decision. This means the government has not officially announced a 50% tobacco tax increase yet. However, the issue has become important because Nepal continues to face a high burden of tobacco-related health problems, including cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and other long-term illnesses.

According to public health research, Nepal’s tobacco tax level remains below the World Health Organization’s recommended benchmark. The WHO recommends that taxes should make up at least 75% of the retail price of tobacco products, while reports have shown Nepal’s tax share to be around 41%, lower than several South Asian countries.

Supporters of higher tobacco tax say the move can benefit Nepal in two ways. First, it can discourage tobacco use and reduce the number of people suffering from tobacco-related diseases. Second, it can increase government revenue, which can be used to strengthen public health services, hospitals, and health insurance programs.

Public health advocates have also argued that Nepal has not used tobacco taxation strongly enough as a health policy tool. Past policy papers have said that Nepal’s tobacco tax remains low compared to the WHO recommendation, and that a stronger tax policy could help both public health and revenue collection.

However, any tax increase may also bring debate. Some people argue that higher taxes could increase illegal trade or put pressure on consumers. But health experts often say that strong monitoring, border control, and proper enforcement can reduce such risks while still protecting public health.

For now, Tosima Karki’s call has added pressure on the government to review its tobacco tax policy. The key question is whether Nepal will treat tobacco tax only as a revenue issue, or use it as a stronger public health tool to reduce disease, protect families, and support the health system.