Illegal cigarette distribution network active, a way for brands to avoid taxes

A recent survey has revealed that nearly 81.01% of cigarette brands sold in the country lack tax stamps, raising fears of widespread tax evasion.

According to the survey report, only 12.03% of products were found to have regular tax stamps, while about 6.96% of brands were available in both stamped and unstamped forms.

Due to this situation, the government is losing billions of rupees annually in excise duty and other taxes, and it has also become a serious challenge from the public health perspective.