World No Tobacco Day Asks for Increased Tax on Tobacco

By MiNDFOOD

World No Tobacco Day Asks for Increased Tax on Tobacco

The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly six million people each year, of which more than 600 000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke. Researchers estimate that the epidemic will kill more than eight million people every year by 2030. More than 80 per cent of these preventable deaths will be among people living in low-and middle-income countries.

For World No Tobacco Day 2014 (May 31), WHO and partners are calling on countries to raise taxes on tobacco.

Reduce tobacco consumption, save lives

The WHO is suggesting that countries should implement tax and price policies on tobacco products as a way to reduce tobacco consumption. Research shows that higher taxes are especially effective in reducing tobacco use among lower-income groups and in preventing young people from starting to smoke. Studies show that a tax increase that increases tobacco prices by 10 per cent decreases tobacco consumption by about 4 per cent in high-income countries and by up to 8 per cent in most low- and middle-income countries.

Also, increasing excise taxes on tobacco is considered to be the most cost-effective tobacco control measure. The World Health Report 2010 indicated that a 50 per cent increase in tobacco excise taxes would generate a little more than US$1.4 billion in additional funds in 22 low-income countries. If allocated to health, government health spending in these countries could increase by up to 50 per cent.

Goals

The ultimate goal of World No Tobacco Day is to contribute to protecting present and future generations not only from the devastating health consequences due to tobacco, but also from the social, environmental and economic scourges of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke.

Specific goals of the 2014 campaign are that:

  • governments increase taxes on tobacco to levels that reduce tobacco consumption;
  • individuals and civil society organizations encourage their governments to increase taxes on tobacco to levels that reduce consumption.

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