UNB, Dhaka :
A 10 percent price increase in tobacco products will reduce tobacco use by between 2 percent and 8 percent — 5 pc on average-in low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh, says a WHO report.
The WHO Report on the global tobacco epidemic 2015 released on Tuesday points out that estimates of the effect of price increases in low- and middle-income countries are more variable, but often point to larger reductions in overall consumption than those reported in high-income countries.
The report says research from high-income countries generally finds that a 10 percent price increase of tobacco products will reduce overall tobacco use by between 2.5 percent and 5 percent (4 pc on average).
Raising tobacco taxes is the most effective and cost-effective strategy for reducing tobacco use.
Too few governments levy appropriate levels of tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products. They, therefore, miss out on a proven, low-cost measure to curb demand for tobacco, save lives and
generate funds for stronger health services, according to the WHO Report.
The report focuses on raising taxes on tobacco. Although 33 countries impose taxes that represent more than 75 percent of the retail price of a packet of cigarettes, many countries have extremely low tax rates. Some have no special tax on tobacco products at all.
Seven countries-Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kiribati, New Zealand, Romania and Seychelles-have raised taxes on cigarettes to more than 75 percent of the retail price, the report says.
“Raising taxes on tobacco products is one of the most effective- and cost-effective-ways to reduce consumption of products that kill, while also generating substantial revenue,” said WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan in a media release on Tuesday.
“I encourage all governments to look at the evidence, not the industry’s arguments, and adopt one of the best win-win policy options available for health.”
Director of WHO’s Department for the Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) Dr Douglas Bettcher said higher tobacco taxes and prices are proven methods to reduce consumption and promote quitting the use of tobacco products.
“Evidence from countries such as China and France shows that higher tobacco product prices linked to increased taxes lead to declines in smoking prevalence and tobacco-related harm, such as lung cancer deaths,” said Dr Bettcher.
Tobacco-related illness is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. Approximately one person dies from a tobacco-related disease in every 6 seconds, equivalent to around 6 million people a year. That is forecast to rise to more than 8 million people a year by 2030, unless strong measures are taken to control the epidemic.
Tobacco use is also one of the four main risk factors behind the global epidemic of non-communicable diseases, primarily cancers, cardiovascular and lung diseases, and diabetes.
A 10 percent price increase in tobacco products will reduce tobacco use by between 2 percent and 8 percent — 5 pc on average-in low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh, says a WHO report.
The WHO Report on the global tobacco epidemic 2015 released on Tuesday points out that estimates of the effect of price increases in low- and middle-income countries are more variable, but often point to larger reductions in overall consumption than those reported in high-income countries.
The report says research from high-income countries generally finds that a 10 percent price increase of tobacco products will reduce overall tobacco use by between 2.5 percent and 5 percent (4 pc on average).
Raising tobacco taxes is the most effective and cost-effective strategy for reducing tobacco use.
Too few governments levy appropriate levels of tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products. They, therefore, miss out on a proven, low-cost measure to curb demand for tobacco, save lives and
generate funds for stronger health services, according to the WHO Report.
The report focuses on raising taxes on tobacco. Although 33 countries impose taxes that represent more than 75 percent of the retail price of a packet of cigarettes, many countries have extremely low tax rates. Some have no special tax on tobacco products at all.
Seven countries-Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kiribati, New Zealand, Romania and Seychelles-have raised taxes on cigarettes to more than 75 percent of the retail price, the report says.
“Raising taxes on tobacco products is one of the most effective- and cost-effective-ways to reduce consumption of products that kill, while also generating substantial revenue,” said WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan in a media release on Tuesday.
“I encourage all governments to look at the evidence, not the industry’s arguments, and adopt one of the best win-win policy options available for health.”
Director of WHO’s Department for the Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) Dr Douglas Bettcher said higher tobacco taxes and prices are proven methods to reduce consumption and promote quitting the use of tobacco products.
“Evidence from countries such as China and France shows that higher tobacco product prices linked to increased taxes lead to declines in smoking prevalence and tobacco-related harm, such as lung cancer deaths,” said Dr Bettcher.
Tobacco-related illness is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. Approximately one person dies from a tobacco-related disease in every 6 seconds, equivalent to around 6 million people a year. That is forecast to rise to more than 8 million people a year by 2030, unless strong measures are taken to control the epidemic.
Tobacco use is also one of the four main risk factors behind the global epidemic of non-communicable diseases, primarily cancers, cardiovascular and lung diseases, and diabetes.
