Raise
taxes on tobacco
The
global tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more
than 600 000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke. Unless we
act, the epidemic will kill more than 8 million people every year by 2030. More
than 80% of these preventable deaths will be among people living in low-and
middle-income countries.
For
World No Tobacco Day 2014, WHO and partners call on countries to raise taxes on
tobacco.
Reduce
tobacco consumption, save lives
Under
the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), 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. A tax increase that increases tobacco prices by 10%
decreases tobacco consumption by about 4% in high-income countries and by up to
8% in most low- and middle-income countries.
Furthermore,
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%
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%.
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.
Every year, on 31 May, WHO and partners everywhere mark World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death globally and is currently responsible for 10% of adult deaths worldwide.Learn more about WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 2014, click HERE
