Kenya: Who Wants Tax On Tobacco Products

Source from:  The Star 07/09/2015

Kenya is missing out on a proven low-cost measure of curbing demand for tobacco due to its lenient tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products, a World Health Organisation report indicates.

WHO's Global Tobacco Epidemic Report 2015 released yesterday in Manila, Philippines, says imposing tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products will help save lives and help generate funds for stronger health services.

"Although 33 countries impose taxes that represent more than 75 per cent 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," the reports says. WHO says raising taxes is one of the most effective and cost-effective ways to reduce consumption of products that kill, and also generate substantial revenues. Enditem