, June 2 -- The prices of tobacco products - cigarette and other smokeless products-have gone slightly up in the proposed national budget for 2025-2026 fiscal year due to new customs duties on tobacco seeds and higher supplementary duties on certain raw materials used in tobacco product manufacturing.

The proposal was placed by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed during the budget presentation on Monday.

"Tobacco products like cigarettes and smokeless tobacco such as jorda and gul pose serious risks to public health. Although high duties are already in place on their imports, the current 0% customs duty on tobacco seed imports is inconsistent with public health goals," said the adviser.

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