"In South Africa, for example, tobacco tax rates were increased by 250% during the 1990s to slightly less than 50% of the retail price.
“Cigarette consumption fell by 5% to 7% for every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes, resulting in a sharp decline in consumption, with the largest smoking decreases among the young and the poor," the report revealed.
Seeking to moderate consumption habits, last week Finance Minister Trevor Manuel further raised the tax on packets of 20 cigarettes by 66 cents.
According to the report, tobacco consumption decreased from close to 2 billion packs of cigarettes in 1990 to 1.3 billion in 2005.
The WHO report revealed that the largest decrease was among young people and low-wage earners who reduced smoking most when prices increased.
People in these socio-economic groups were much more sensitive to the price of goods, and higher tobacco prices helps convince them to quit or not to start using tobacco, said the report.
According to WHO, the increase in taxes helps households save money, as well as increase government revenues, which can help to pay for tobacco control interventions and other policy priorities.
The report also gives South Africa seven out of 10 for enforcement of bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship relating to tobacco and five out of 10 for protecting people from tobacco smoke through smoke-free environments.
South Africa was also found to be doing well in providing counselling and treatment for tobacco dependence and in allocation of resources for tobacco prevention.
Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has welcomed the reported decrease in tobacco use.
"This is significant progress for a developing country like South Africa if you consider the WHO report's observation that only 5% of the world's population live in countries that protect their population with any one of the key measures that reduce smoking rates.
"We have to sustain and build from these gains if we are to reduce the high levels of morbidity and mortality related to tobacco use to which WHO puts one in every 10 deaths worldwide," said Dr Tshabalala-Msimang on Sunday.
Although tobacco deaths rarely make headlines, according to WHO tobacco kills one person every six seconds.
“Tobacco kills a third to half of all people who use it, two on average 15 years prematurely. Today, tobacco use causes one in 10 deaths among adults worldwide – more than five million people a year.
“By 2030, unless urgent action is taken, tobacco's annual death toll will rise to more than eight million,” the WHO said.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
