Africa News

End tobacco farming in Kenya, NGOs tell Ruto

Joel Gitali says Ruto committed himself to that goal when he served as Agriculture minister in 2008-2010. In Summary •An estimated 36,000 farmers produce tobacco leaf on around 13,500 hectares of land, primarily in the Nyanza and Western regions of Kenya. •The Ministry of Health says it kills 9,000 Kenyans every year. Tobacco control advocates have asked President...

Need for urgent research on nicotine pouches

In Summary When consumed in high levels, nicotine can lead to poisoning and death, but the most common problem with the chemical is its addictive nature. It reconfigures how the brain operates and makes people crave tobacco products. There is a raging debate as to whether nicotine pouches should be restricted due to the fact...

“Tobacco industry exaggerations of illicit trade should not deter tobacco tax increases”

While an overstatement of the illicit trade of tobacco products may suit the tobacco-industry agenda when it comes to mid-term budgets, it should not deter strong tax increases aimed at reducing tobacco consumption in South Africa, says Dr Sharon Nyatsanza of the National Council Against Smoking. Focus should fall on strong law enforcement and securing...

Tobacco control stakeholders meeting: 6,700 Ghanaians die annually… from tobacco-related illnesses

More than 6,700 Ghanaians die annually from tobacco-related illnesses. Of the number, 4,422 representing 66 per cent died prematurely under age 70 while 1,206 representing 18 per cent lost their lives due to exposure to second-hand smoke. To address the growing trend, DrBaffourAwuah, Acting Director of Technical Coordination and Special Advisor on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Ministry...

Africa needs stronger weapons to tackle illicit, conflict-fuelling tobacco trade

The South African government has recently stepped up its efforts to address the country’s rampant illicit tobacco trade. The South African Revenue Service (SARS), facing a severe and persistent reduction of cigarette excise tax revenues, is now endeavouring to curb the illicit tobacco trade by enhancing inspections and search and seizure operations against cigarette companies and...

CAPPA tasks NFCVB on enforcement of ban on TAPS

In its continued bid to reduce tobacco-related diseases and deaths in the country, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa has urged the National Films and Video Censors Board (NFCVB) to, as a matter of urgency, enforce the ban on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorships (TAPS) with particular emphasis on the movies and entertainment...

How tobacco industry keeps smokers hooked

In Summary Two studies from the UK identify the use of price smoothing and package downsizing strategies by the tobacco industry. The other strategy employed by the industry revolves around reclassification of products or changing their physical attributes. In 2018 only 38 countries, covering 14 per cent of the global population, had adequately high tobacco...

FG Urged to Establish Tobacco Control Fund

The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has made a case for the operationalisation of the Tobacco Control Fund in order to ensure the protection of public health from the destructive effects of tobacco in Nigeria. It said the Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Finance and the office of the Accountant General of the...

How multinational tobacco companies aid Illicit financial flows in Nigeria, others – Report

Tobacco multinationals in Nigeria and other African Countries are contributing significantly to illicit financial flows in the continent mainly through tax avoidance and evasion, a new report said. The report titled ‘Tobacco Industry and Illicit Financial Flows in Africa” was conducted by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with Tax Justice Network...

Report exposes how multinational tobacco companies aid illicit financial flows in Nigeria, others

Tobacco multinationals in Nigeria and other African countries are contributing significantly to illicit financial flows (IFF) in the continent, mainly through tax avoidance and evasion, a new report has shown. The report, titled: ‘Tobacco Industry and Illicit Financial Flows in Africa’, was conducted by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), in collaboration with Tax Justice...

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