Numbers

Tobacco tax

Few governments levy appropriate levels of tax on cigarettes and tobacco products. So, they miss out on a proven, low-cost measure to curb demand for tobacco, save lives and generate funds for stronger health services, says the “WHO Report on the global tobacco epidemic 2015.” The report focuses on raising taxes on tobacco. Although 33 countries impose taxes that represent more than 75% 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.