Tobacco Taxes Key to Reducing Smoking Rates August 9, 2000
News Summary
A new study confirmed that raising taxes on tobacco is critical to curbing smoking, especially among the young, the poor and the relatively uneducated, the Dow Jones News Service reported Aug. 8."This research shows that the economic measure of a tax increase is the single most important intervention by governments to curb tobacco consumption," said Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO). "Governments wishing to halt the rising toll of tobacco-related deaths should strongly consider a tobacco tax hike as a matter of priority."
Researchers from WHO and the World Bank determined that in addition to curbing smoking, higher taxes on tobacco would increase government revenues by 7 percent on average for every 10 percent increase in cigarette taxes.
The study was based on a three-year research project comprised of a team of about 40 economists, social scientists, legal and public-policy experts, and epidemiologists from 13 nations.
"Tobacco control is a high priority in our efforts to improve global health," said World Bank President James Wolfensohn.
The study pointed out that efforts to reduce the supply of cigarettes have been largely ineffective. Furthermore, attempts to restrict cigarette sales to teenagers have generally also been unsuccessful.
The 512-page study is being published as a book entitled "Tobacco Control in Developing Countries."
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