Lebanon stands to gain $400 million by implementing strong tobacco control measures

National News

24-03-2025

NNA - Under the patronage of H.E. the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Rakan Nassereldine, the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched today the 'Tobacco Control Investment Case Study in Lebanon.' The launch event took place in Beirut, bringing together key stakeholders and experts in public health and economic development.
The new investment case reveals that Lebanon could avert more than $400 million (LBP 15.2 trillion) in economic losses and save up to 40,000 lives over the next 15 years by implementing six key tobacco control policies recommended by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
The study highlights the devastating economic and human cost of tobacco use in Lebanon, currently estimated at $140 million annually, equivalent to 1.9 percent of Lebanon's GDP. This burden includes significant healthcare expenditures, lost productivity, and substantial human development losses. Furthermore, the economic benefits of strengthening tobacco control in Lebanon greatly outweigh the costs of implementation, with LBP 15.2 trillion in benefits versus just LBP 177 billion in costs.
His Excellency the Minister of Public Health of Lebanon, Dr. Rakan Nassereldine said: 'Today, we are presented with strong evidence showing that tobacco control is not only a health priority but also a sound economic investment. This study quantifies what we have long known: tobacco use is devastating to individual health, increasing the burden of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. But beyond the human suffering, tobacco also imposes an enormous cost on our healthcare system, weakens productivity, and drains resources that Lebanon can no longer afford to lose.'
Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO Representative in Lebanon emphasized that the national tobacco control law targeting to implement the various aspects of the WHO FCTC is an important public health measure that aims at improving people's health, preventing harm to non-smokers' health, and reducing the economic burden of smoking at the national level. He indicated that Lebanon stands as one of the top countries in the region for high smoking prevalence, highlighting an urgent need for decisive action in tobacco control. 'Integrating tobacco control into national economic recovery and growth plans and policies, will be critical in helping Lebanon achieve its economic goal' he said.
Dr Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC added: 'The findings of this investment case are clear. Strengthening tobacco control in Lebanon is not just a health imperative, it's an economic opportunity,'
'By taking decisive action now, we can significantly improve the lives of tens of thousands of Lebanese citizens and divert essential funds towards developmental priorities. We urge Lebanon to strengthen these life-saving measures in line with the WHO FCTC.'
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Thair Shraideh emphasized the need for sustained efforts in tobacco control through policy reform and legislative advancements. 'Lebanon has made progress in tobacco control, but further action is needed to protect public health and drive sustainable development,' he said. 'At UNDP, we remain committed to supporting Lebanon in this journey, together with the government, WHO, and our partners. By strengthening legislative frameworks, advancing evidence-based policies, and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration, we can mitigate the economic and health impacts of tobacco use while promoting broader development goals that safeguard well-being and protect future generations.'
According to the investment case, implemented in collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health, the UNDP global health team and WHO, implementing the WHO FCTC measures could save over 2,600 lives per year and allow Lebanon to reinvest savings from reduced healthcare expenditures and increased tobacco tax revenues into critical national development priorities. These include universal health coverage, social protection programs, and economic recovery efforts.
Currently, more than 9,000 people die from tobacco-related illnesses per year in Lebanon, accounting for more than a quarter of all deaths in the country. Lebanon became a Party to the WHO FCTC in 2005, yet additional policy actions are required to fully leverage its benefits.
The recommended policy actions include:
Commit to fully implement the WHO FCTC.
Strengthen tobacco tax structures and increase tax rates (WHO FCTC Article 6).
Implement and enforce the other five tobacco control policies studied in this investment case:
Create smoke-free public places and workplaces to protect people from the harms of tobacco smoke (WHO FCTC Article 8);
Require graphic health warnings on tobacco product packaging that describes the harms of tobacco use (WHO FCTC Article 11);
Plain packaging of tobacco products (WHO FCTC Guidelines for implementation of Article 11 and WHO FCTC Guidelines for implementation of Article 13);
Promote and strengthen public awareness of tobacco control issues, including the health risks of tobacco use and tobacco smoke, addiction, and the benefits of cessation (WHO FCTC Article 12); and
Promote cessation of tobacco use and treatment for tobacco dependence by training health professionals to provide brief advice to quit tobacco use (WHO FCTC Article 14).
Strengthen multisectoral coordination for tobacco control in Lebanon by establishing a national coordination mechanism and bringing together various stakeholders (WHO FCTC Article 5.2a).
Develop a national tobacco control strategy for Lebanon (WHO FCTC Article 5.1).
Implement measures to protect public health policies from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry (WHO FCTC Article 5.3).
Join the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, including by building capacity to combat illicit trade (Protocol and WHO FCTC Article 15).
Identify opportunities to link the implementation of the WHO FCTC with wider sustainable development strategies.
This initiative marks a further step in Lebanon's commitment to reducing tobacco-related health and economic burdens. -- WHO Lebanon