Almost 20 Percent Increase In Tobacco Tax Product By FG

 

According to the new report, Federal Government decides to increase the tax on tobacco from 30  to 50 percent to control too much smoking, which make it 20 percent increase.

Dr.Mangai Malau, the Federal Ministry of Health yesterday at Abuja made it known.

Further, speak concerning the issue of tobacco that it is harmful to health and that control must strictly be done.

The Federal Ministry of Health Dr.Malau, in the meeting, tabled a paper titled “Overview of Tobacco Control Funding/Budgeting in Nigeria."

Further speaking concerning the formal tax on tobacco which was 30 percent, to be at the same level as the World Health Organisation FG decided to increase it to 50 percent. 

According to the Ministry of Health, the issue of tobacco tax is emphasized, and funding should be done rightly in the country to control it.

Funding, a major component of tobacco control Malau said, “In effectively controlling tobacco and tobacco products in Nigeria, funding is a critical component. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control recognizes this and stipulates it in Article 26.

“It states that parties shall provide financial support in respect of its national activities intended to achieve the objective of the Convention, by its national plans, priorities, and programs.

“It is also important to state that funding is a major provision of the National Tobacco Control Act.

“Section eight of the Act provides for the Tobacco Control Fund, which shall be used to fund tobacco control activities programs and projects.’’

Further speaking on the essence of meeting that it will reduce the control of tobacco in the country.

He said, “Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, disability, and impoverishment in the world.

“It is the greatest risk factor for non-communicable diseases like hypertension, stroke, cancers, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

‘’WHO said tobacco causes more than eight million deaths annually around the world, with more than seven million of those deaths as a result of direct tobacco use.

“And about 1.2 million resulting from non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.’’

Further, speak concerning the effect and causes of tobacco smoke and how it leads to cancer in the body, and it contains chemicals and is harmful to health.

Malau added, “Also, there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke and even a brief exposure can be harmful to one’s health.

“Concerned about the threat from tobacco, Nigeria signed and ratified the WHO FCTC, in 2004 and 2005 respectively. In 2015, the National Tobacco Control Act was enacted and its Regulations were passed in 2019.’’

According to the report, the tax on tobacco as of last year was N4.20kobo.Hayatu stated the amount taxation on cigarettes is N2.90kobo which is now on higher tax to N4.20kobo.