Anti-tobacco lobbies fault State on tax
Local anti-tobacco lobbies have taken the government to task over its apparent reluctance to enforce tobacco control and taxation. This is on the back of new data that shows tobacco-related deaths stood at 8,100 in 2019 compared to road fatalities, which were estimated at 3,572. Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) Senior Policy Analyst Boaz Munga...
Sars Customs seizes illegal cigarettes, hookah-pipe tobacco, scrap metal worth R40 million in Durban Harbour, Polokwane and Johannesburg
Modern risk detection systems and other law enforcement agencies have assisted the South African Division of the South African Revenue Service (Sars) Customs division in seizing illicit cigarettes, hookah-pipe tobacco and scrap metal with a total tax prejudice of R40 million. Sars said the illegal cigarettes were detected in Durban Harbour and valued at R35m...
Philip Morris wants cigarettes banned by 2030? About that …
This announcement has nothing to do with getting people to quit tobacco—and everything to do with migrating smokers to other addictive forms of tobacco like PMI’s iQOS product, which heats tobacco rather than burning it. Philip Morris International (PMI) received a healthy amount of press attention when it declared a few months ago that it wants traditional combustible...
Helping people quit tobacco use is key to breaking the cycle of dependence
There are 1.3 billion tobacco users today globally, trapped by nicotine’s addictiveness and the manipulative influence of the tobacco industry. Helping people to quit is the key to breaking this dependence and ending the tobacco epidemic. The newly published ‘Global investment case for tobacco cessation’ presents the reasons from the perspectives of health and...
Public health groups urge govt to hike excise duty on tobacco products
According to them, increasing excise on all tobacco products can be a very effective policy measure to address the immediate need to raise revenue by the central government. Public health groups, along with economists and doctors, have urged the government to increase excise duty on all tobacco products in the Union Budget of 2022-23 to...
Proposed amendment to tobacco products act puts livelihood of millions of women in jeopardy: Study
Synopsis The study delves into the impact this COTPA amendment will have on millions of women beedi rollers in the country. The report said that until skill-building and alternative employment is provided on a large scale for their livelihood, Beedi rolling is the only viable occupation for millions of women across India. The study states...
Indonesia to raise tobacco excise by 12per cent on average in 2022
Indonesia will raise excise tax rate for tobacco products by an average 12per cent next year, with a higher increase for machine-rolled cigarettes than hand rolled cigarettes, which will see a maximum 4.5per cent hike, its finance minister said. Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the decision took into account the government's target to reduce smoking among...
New Zealand Is Banning Tobacco. Will Anyone Follow?
An absolute measure will limit freedom of choice. But the approach may be worthwhile, if only to show the rest of the world whether it can succeed. If you’re a smoker who wants to indulge your habit while gazing over the mountains of the South Pacific, you’d do well to move fast. New Zealand last...
FDA strategises on tobacco control enforcement in Eastern Region
The Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA)in collaboration with key stakeholders in Eastern Region is implementing a road map for enforcing tobacco control regulations to safeguard public health and safety. The Ghana Health Service, Ghana Police Service, Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, National Security, Traditional Authorities, Trader Associations, National Investigation Bureau, media, and municipal assemblies...
Ombudsman launches probe into Commission tobacco lobbying
The EU Ombudsman has launched an inquiry to assess if the European Commission complies with transparency obligations over tobacco lobbying – ahead of upcoming revisions of rules targeting tobacco consumption. Emily O'Reilly, who investigates maladministration in the EU institutions, has asked the EU executive to provide all documents concerning meetings with tobacco lobbyists in 2020...
