Tobacco: the WHO asks for new tax increases

[7 February 2008 - 17h47]

Only 5% of the world’s population is protected by national legislation on the prohibition of smoking. And in 40% of countries, smoking is still permitted even in hospitals and schools! In a new report published today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) gives an update on the worldwide battle against smoking. A total of 179 countries have been put under the microscope.

The WHO is offering the “first, exhaustive analysis of the global battle against smoking”, taking into account such factors as the prevalence of smoking, legislation, taxation and even the import and export of tobacco products. According to WHO Director General, Dr Margaret Chan, this study shows that “almost all countries must do more” in this respect.

The report also reveals that on a global level, tax revenue collected on tobacco is 500 times higher than the sums spent by public authorities to combat smoking. The WHO therefore recommends that the countries concerned “should considerably increase taxes levied on tobacco” and, consequently increase the selling price of the products in question (cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, hookahs, roll-ups, chewing tobacco, etc).

Eight million dead by 2030…

As the WHO sees it, this “approach is by far the most effective”. Not only in reducing consumption but also in making a long-term source of funding available to support anti-smoking strategies. In particular, the MPOWER strategy, advocated by the WHO. This involves systems to “monitor tobacco use and prevention policies, protect people from tobacco smoke, offer help to quit tobacco use, warn about the dangers of tobacco, enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship and raise taxes on tobacco”.

“The mpower package provides a clear roadmap to help countries fulfil and build on their WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control obligations”, the WHO points out. The Convention is the Organisation’s response to the global strategy of the tobacco industry, which is “to target young people and adults in the developing world. And young women in particular, which is one of the most worrying indicators of how this epidemic is developing”.

Worldwide, the tobacco epidemic kills 4.9 million people a year. By 2030 this figure is likely to reach … 8 million. A 63% increase! To read this report in full (available only in English), visit http://www.destinationsante.com/IMG/pdf/mpower_report_full_2008.pdf

Source : WHO, 7 February 2008

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