Zambia Urged to Raise Tobacco Tax

Source from:  Zambia Daily Mail 12/14/2015

A health expert has said that Zambia should raise taxation on tobacco in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation to safeguard lives.

Ministry of Health tobacco control focal point person John Mayeya said at the launch of the international tobacco control survey in Zambia that the WHO recommends 70 percent tax, and yet Zambia has pegged tax at 30 percent.

He said most Zambians do not understand the risk of smoking, but taxation is one of the most effective ways of controlling tobacco consumption and its detrimental effects.

Catherine Chizema, the director of disease surveillance, control and research, said about 26 percent of adults in Zambia and 15 percent young adults consume tobacco. Enditem