Increased taxation considered on cigarettes
Kaieteur News
December 9, 2006
Increased taxation on tobacco products will be considered in the effort to curb the use of cigarettes.
This is according to Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy who was addressing a brainstorming session to come up with initiatives to boost national capacity for tobacco control.
Dr Ramsammy pointed out that realistically, there are a lot of economic gains to be had from tobacco use in a country since revenues are collected from the sale of the product.
But one of the most effective measures used in tobacco control is taxation increase on cigarettes, he observed.
If this is to be implemented revenues received by the country will be reduced, Ramsammy noted.
However, the country might still break even in this regard financially since less will have to be spent on treating smoking related illnesses.
“A substantial amount of the health budget is spent annually on illnesses caused by smoking but if people are more productive and not sick as such, then this figure could be reduced. More than 85% of the health cost in this country is also borne by taxpayers and the money saved from tobacco can go into other areas of development,” the Minister said.
He said that increased taxation on the product is a consideration.
Dr Ramsammy said the Ministry of Health will also take a bolder approach to labeling on cigarette packets.
At the moment, Guyana 's taxes on tobacco are considerable, at 128% compared with the 50% taxes in other Caribbean countries.
The two-day brainstorming session began Tuesday at the Cara Lodge and involved a wide cross section of agencies.
The main focus is to raise further awareness among national focal points and other stakeholders on the importance of tobacco control in light of the WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (FCTC) and to develop an inter-sectoral plan to implement the FCTC.
According to Health Promotion Coordinator in the Health Ministry Lucy Anderson, the expected outcome of the workshop is that participants will have a solid knowledge and understanding of the FCTC's obligations and the relationship of these obligations to national tobacco control priorities and actions.
“Participants must have a clear understanding of the role and functions of the National Tobacco Control Council as a whole as well as its members,” Anderson said.
An initial draft national plan for tobacco control in Guyana will also be developed. PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr Kathleen Israel lauded Guyana 's commitment to the fight for tobacco control.
She commended the Health Ministry for implementing the articles of the convention.
Israel noted that the political and social will of politicians go a long way in minimising and preventing the use of tobacco, especially among youth.
Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy declared that his ultimate goal is to eliminate rather than control tobacco use locally.
He however acknowledged that the path to realising this goal will be one fraught with many difficulties since a number of challenges exist in the fight.
Emphasis will also be placed on prevention mechanisms since a recent WHO report showed that a considerable number of Guyanese children are smoking in their early years at secondary school.
The Minister said the new national health plan being formulated will address every aspect of tobacco control.
Guyana acceded to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on April 15, 2005. Being a member of the FCTC mandates Guyana to enforce a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion within five years.
Guyana is now also obligated to issue strong health warnings on tobacco packaging that cover at least 30 percent of the principal display areas within three years.
Protection from secondhand smoke in all indoor workplaces and public places and in public transportation should be implemented as well as measures to reduce the smuggling of tobacco products.
Evidence shows that smoking harms nearly every organ of the body.
Tobacco use is the cause of the majority of lung cancer cases, and it has been linked to many other types of cancer, such as cervical and kidney cancers. Other health risks associated with tobacco include heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases; bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory diseases as well as infertility.
Tobacco is the second leading cause of death globally, resulting in nearly five million deaths a year.
(Melanie Allicock)