Taxing Times for Tobacco: A Breath of Fresh Air

Tobacco taxation is rapidly becoming a central public health policy intervention. When governments increase tobacco taxes, it can effectively reduce consumption, especially among youth and poor communities. Global health bodies support this action as a "best buy" to combat non-communicable diseases. More taxes reduce the prevalence of smoking, as well as yield handsome returns for public health programs. Evidence demonstrates that raising tobacco taxes can avert millions of premature deaths each year and save healthcare expenditures. As nations such as Uganda and Kenya strive towards WHO-conformant tax regimes, the global community is encouraged to implement effective tobacco taxation policies to counteract the worldwide tobacco epidemic.

 

Source: UICC, CGDev, IARC