10pc tobacco product price hike to reduce its use: WHO

A 10 per cent price increase in tobacco products would reduce tobacco use by between 2.0 per cent and 8.0 per cent - 5.0 per cent on average-in low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh, says a WHO report, reports UNB.
The WHO Report on the global tobacco epidemic-2015 released on Tuesday points out that estimates of the effect of price increases in low- and middle-income countries are more variable, but often point to larger reductions in overall consumption than those reported in high-income countries.
The report says research from high-income countries generally finds that a 10 per cent price increase of tobacco products will reduce overall tobacco use by between 2.5 per cent and 5.0 per cent (4.0 per cent on average).
Raising tobacco taxes is the most effective and cost-effective strategy for reducing tobacco use.
Too few governments levy appropriate levels of tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products. They, therefore, miss out on a proven, low-cost measure to curb demand for tobacco, save lives and generate funds for stronger health services, according to the WHO Report.
The report focuses on raising taxes on tobacco. 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.