"Public health is in a fragile state: it needs money. Countries are being advised to increase domestic revenues to bridge shortfalls, and taxing unhealthy products such as tobacco is a win-win. Higher taxes reduce demand and therefore the burden of related disease, while filling government coffers. The benefits of reducing tobacco use are significant, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where about 80% of the world's 1.2 billion tobacco users live, and where the burden of tobacco-related illness and death is heaviest."
"Tobacco is one of the world's leading causes of death, killing more than seven million people a year, including about 1.6 million non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke; many more become sick or disabled. In many countries tobacco taxes remain flat or stubbornly low The economic costs are staggering, estimated at about $1.7tn (1.3tn) in excess healthcare expenses and productivity losses in 2021 the equivalent of 1.7% of global gross domestic product. That does not include the costs of tobacco-related environmental harm and food insecurity."
Public health is in a fragile state and needs money. Countries are being advised to increase domestic revenues to bridge shortfalls, and taxing unhealthy products such as tobacco can both reduce consumption and raise government revenue. About 80% of the world's 1.2 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries, where tobacco-related illness and death are heaviest. Tobacco kills over seven million people annually, including roughly 1.6 million non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke, and causes additional sickness and disability. Economic costs reached an estimated $1.7 trillion in excess healthcare expenses and productivity losses in 2021, excluding environmental and food-security harms. Industry influence has prevented many countries from raising tobacco taxes, delaying increases or granting exemptions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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