World Health Organization urges governments to increase taxes on tobacco products, claiming that a 50% increase would save 11 million lives within three years
Nevin Barich
ISLAMABAD
,
June 3, 2014
(Right Vision News)
–
The World Health Organization urged governments to increase taxes on tobacco products, claiming that a 50 percent increase would save 11 million lives within 3 years. Prior to "World No Tobacco Day" on the 31 May, the health organization stressed that, in addition to lost lives, tobacco also puts considerable economic strains on families, businesses and ultimately on governments due to the costly medical treatment of tobacco-related diseases and with the loss of productivity, Anadolu Agency reports. Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, said that raising taxes on tobacco is the most effective way to reduce their use and save lives, and said that a determined action on a tobacco tax policy will hit the industry where it hurts. "By increasing tobacco taxes by 50 percent, all countries will reduce the number of smokers by 49 million within the next three years and will ultimately save 11 million lives," WHO estimates. In addition, a 50 percent tax increase in tobacco products is expected to yield an extra US$101 billion in global revenue. Tax increases are two to three times more effective to discourage the young population from smoking because of their limited income, the statement asserts Published by HT Syndication with permission from Right Vision News. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
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