more tax on tobacco is better for kenya

The Kenya government will stand to gain more revenue from an increase in taxation of tobacco products according to the International Tobacco Control Policy.

Principal Investigator International Tobacco Control (ITC), Geoffrey Fong said that there is need to re-increase taxation of tobacco products in order to get added revenue and reduced demand.

“Increase in tax, the government does not lose any income, but demand goes low. Reduction on demand is not as high as that on increase on tax. Government spends more on treating diseases caused by tobacco,” Mr Fong said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) requires that taxation on Africa Tobacco products be at 75 per cent whereas, that of Kenya is currently at 55 per cent.

According to representative of the WHO Africa resource center, Ms Kellen Namusisi, the increase in tax by the Kenya government, has not exerted enough pressure to reduce the purchase of tobacco products.

“Kenya maybe among the top in Africa, but the overall price is still low. We still need to raise the prices; few people smoke, smokers smoke less,” Ms Namusisi said.

The government of Kenya through the Tobacco Control Act prohibits smoking in public places, calls for the establishment of smoke-free zones in cities and buildings, banning tobacco advertisement and placing larger warning labels on cigarette packs. 

                                                      Geoffrey Fong from waterloo uni

Addressing the press at a Hotel in Nairobi, Mr Fong said that the ITC is starting a survey project in 19 districts to investigate and report about the use, perception of people using tobacco and the types of tobacco frequently used in Kenya. 

“The ITC project has been done before in 22 countries. It is to help the government and civil society make policies that reduce tobacco use,” Mr Fong said.

Research scientist Dr Jane Rahedi said that in the year 2008-2009 the prevalence of male smokers was 18 per cent and that of woman was less than 2 per cent. 

An increase in the youth consumption was also noted; 2001, 14 per cent increased to 18 percent in 2007.            
     

                       

She added that apart from the tobacco law enact other legislation that are necessary include pictorial health warnings that will occupy 50 per cent of the surface.

“Taxation should be 70 per cent of the retail price. We will do the project from October to December. We will evaluate and understand the impact of tobacco control, ”Dr Rahedi concluded.