Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

WJ Approve 100pc Levy on Tobacco Imports

WJ Approve 100pc Levy on Tobacco Imports

KABUL - Wolesi Jirga (WJ) or lower house of the parliament on Monday amended the 20th Article of Tobbaco Control Law, increasing customs tariffs on the import of cigarettes and other tobacco products up to 100 percent.
The amendment draft was prepared based on suggestions from the lawmakers, said Amir Khanyar, head of the lower house Commission on Finance and Budget Affairs.
He said under the Tobacco Control Law, imported tobacco products should be charged a 50 percent tax; however, currently 20 percent customs duty was obtained from them, he remarked.
He didn’t go into details as to why the law was being violated.
Khanyar said six permanent commissions of the Wolesi Jirga favoured imposing a 100 percent levy on tobacco imports and three other panels of the house requested an import duty of a 300 percent should be levied on such goods.
Finally, the topic was put to a vote and with achieving a majority vote the modification draft was approved. It has now been sent to Meshrano Jirga or upper house of parliament for endorsement.

The amendment draft would come into effect after it is signed by the President Ashraf Ghani.(Pajhwok)