The increased tax on cigarettes will not only generate more revenue for government but it will serve as an economic incentive for people to smoke less or give up cigarettes entirely. And there can be no doubt that smoking is a real and present danger to the health of those who fall victim to the habit, a leading cause of lung cancer which has a 95 per cent mortality rate and which accounts for more deaths than breast, cervical and prostate cancers combined.
The local cigarette industry, despite increasing taxes over the years, continues to be profitable and seems resigned to the new tax regime. It is perhaps less concerned about taxation than about legislation now being considered which could see the sale of cigarettes prohibited to those under 18 years of age and prohibited altogether in public places. No one wants to tax or legislate tobacco companies out of business but, on the other hand, costs to the public health sector in dealing with diseases occasioned by smoking are a matter of national concern.
We note with interest that the Cabinet has commissioned a study to determine the impact of tobacco control measures in Jamaica conducted by Dr. Corne Van Walbeck, an economist at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. In presenting his report, Dr. Walbeck has pointed out that research in several countries shows that taxation on cigarettes can be ratcheted up as high as 70 per cent without crippling the industry. The new tax hike announced by the Minister of Finance in presenting the Budget is well below this level.
Smoking is more prevalent in poor countries than in rich ones. In Bangladesh, for example, the poor spend almost 10 times as much on cigarettes as on education. In Jamaica 19 per cent of the 35 to 55 age group are smokers and it is estimated that between 4,000 and 5,000 Jamaicans die annually from tobacco-related illnesses, some three times the murder rate. Any steps, therefore, either anti-smoking legislation or higher taxes, which will reduce the loss of life caused by smoking is to be welcomed.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
