‘Increase best way to deter smokers’

Increasing prices is the most effective way of controlling tobacco use especially among youth, according to experts who welcomed Dubai’s move to double the prices of cigarettes by August. On the other hand, a number of smokers said that the increase means they would have to shift to a cheaper brand.

Several studies have shown that taxation on tobacco products can provide short- and long-term benefits by raising revenues and discouraging people, especially the youth from smoking, according to Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the National Tobacco Control Committee at the Health Ministry.

She was commenting on the announcement made by the head of the Dubai Health Authority at the World Cardiology Congress on Wednesday to impose a 200 per cent tax on cigarettes by August in an attempt to deter smokers.

According to a survey, there has been a quantum leap in the number of student smokers over the past five years. Also, 82 per cent of youngsters have had their first cigarette by the age of 14.

“I am glad this is being put into action,” she said. Currently, a 100 per cent customs tax is in place for branded cigarettes that are available from Dh7. With implementation of the new tax, the prices will double.

According to the World Health Organisation, the region has the lowest average prices of tobacco products as compared to other WHO regions. Though most countries in the region are considered high-income earning, the taxation remains low. “What would be interesting is the way the price increase affects smokers in Dubai,” said Ramez Sawiris, Regulatory Affairs Director NiQuitin, GSK Consumer Healthcare. “To some, it would mean lower smoking frequency based on cost/budgetary reasons. For others, the understanding of the motivation behind the price increase may reinforce the health warning on each cigarette pack,” he said.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com