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The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
INTERACTIVE: Study calls for 80% hike in cigarette prices
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia needs to raise the average price of cigarettes by more than 80% to RM31.74 per pack to help meet its target of cutting smoking prevalence to 15%, according to an interactive data tool. The Cost Recovery and Revenue Estimator (CoRRE) calculates that higher prices of cigarettes, which currently cost an average of RM17.40 per pack in Malaysia, would contribute to a reduction in smoking prevalence. Developed by Johns Hopkins University, global health organisation Vital Strategies and the American Cancer Society, CoRRE estimates that 18.2% of Malaysia's population aged 15 and above are smokers. Malaysia aims to reduce smoking prevalence to 15% this year, in line with the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act. CoRRE said meeting the target would require a 159% increase in tobacco taxes, from RM8.98 to RM23.32 per pack. Such a tax hike could generate an additional RM2.6bil annually in tax revenue for the government, it said in a report published last month. CoRRE was created as part of the latest edition of the Tobacco Atlas, which also provides in-depth analysis on tobacco use prevalence, taxes and other tobacco control policies as well as programmes around the world. According to the Tobacco Atlas website, taxes are the most effective tobacco control intervention but the least implemented. 'A sufficiently large tax increase will raise tobacco product prices, making them less affordable, thereby discouraging initiation, encouraging quitting, and driving down consumption,' said the Tobacco Atlas. The World Health Organisation's (WHO) Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report last month said while Malaysia made some progress, prices of cigarettes have not become less affordable since 2014, hampering efforts to reduce consumption. The WHO report said affordability is measured by the proportion of per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) required to purchase 2,000 sticks of the most sold cigarette brand. In this regard, only the Philippines among Asean countries has made notable progress while Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar have seen no significant change. A study by the School of Business and Economics at Universiti Putra Malaysia found that cigarettes remain relatively affordable, with Malaysians spending just 3.2% of their GDP per capita to buy 100 packs. 'The findings emphasise the urgent need for the government to implement consistent and substantial excise tax increases to make cigarettes less affordable,' the study said. It also recommended that excise tax rates be regularly adjusted to outpace income growth and inflation to ensure that cigarettes gradually become less affordable over time. Currently, tobacco taxes in Malaysia make up 75.3% of the retail price of the most popular cigarette brand, the third highest in Asean after Indonesia (78.9%) and Thailand (78.6%). These three countries are also among 40 worldwide that have reached the WHO-recommended threshold of a 75% tax share of the retail price, identified as effective in curbing smoking rates. 'Governments can significantly reduce tobacco consumption, save millions of lives, and cut healthcare costs in both the short and long term,' the WHO said. A study last year cited by the WHO estimated that raising excise taxes globally to trigger a 50% price hike could prompt 102 million people to quit smoking, including 84 million in low- and middle-income countries. On tobacco control policy, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand are just two steps away from achieving best practices across all the measures in the WHO framework for tobacco control. For Malaysia, the remaining gaps lie in offering help to quit tobacco use and enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Malaysia has already met best practices in monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from tobacco smoke, and warning about the dangers of tobacco through health warnings and mass media campaigns. According to Our World in Data, smoking was the third leading risk factor for deaths in Malaysia in 2021, after high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Smoking also contributed to 19,300 deaths in 2021.
Rudaw Net
02-06-2025
- Health
- Rudaw Net
Erbil authorities destroy over 8,000 vape devices in ongoing crackdown
Also in Kurdistan New marketing book touts Iraq as prime destination for global investment Human remains found at Zakho construction site Kurdistan parties say will pursue dialogue with Baghdad over funding KDP hosts meeting with Kurdish parties as tensions with Baghdad escalate A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Erbil governorate on Monday announced the destruction of more than 8,000 vaping devices as part of an ongoing, wide scale crackdown on e-cigarettes. Over 50,000 devices have been confiscated since the beginning of 2024. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the governorate stated that some '8,000 vapes that had been seized were destroyed today, as the campaign against e-cigarettes continues,' warning that any shop that sells or distributes such devices will be shut down and penalized. Erbil launched its anti-vape campaign at the start of 2024. Vaping products sold in markets across the Kurdistan Region are chiefly imported from China, Iran and Turkey. Prices range from as low as 1,000 Iraqi dinars ($0.7) to 100,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $71). Notably, in the Kurdistan Region, purchasing an e-cigarette does not require visiting a specialized vape shop. Many supermarkets openly display vapes both behind their counters and on open shelves near the cashiers. Although often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, vapes carry significant health risks. Vape aerosols contain nicotine - a highly addictive substance that is especially harmful to developing brains - as well as chemicals linked to severe lung conditions and inflammation. Beyond respiratory issues, vaping has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by elevating heart rate and blood pressure. Users are also exposed to toxic substances and heavy metals, which may contribute to long-term cancer risks and other chronic health problems. In 2007, the Kurdistan Region parliament passed an anti-smoking law that banned smoking in public places. However, the law has yet to be effectively enforced. Smoking remains highly prevalent in Iraq, including among the youth. According to 2022 data from the Tobacco Atlas - a global public health initiative recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) - some 18.6 percent of Iraqis aged 15 and older smoke, as do 9.5 percent for youth aged 10 to 14 years. Tobacco Atlas further estimates that more than 27,000 people die from smoking in Iraq each year.
Rudaw Net
02-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi parliament expected to vote on anti-smoking bill next week
Also in Iraq Iraq releases 2,500 prisoners under general amnesty law Yazidi women abroad testify online to receive government support Iraq to 'make every effort' to resume Kurdish oil exports: FM Iraq's top court to rule on PM, President appeal to reinstate maritime deal with Kuwait A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi parliament on May 6 will vote on a bill that aims to curb smoking through a combination of taxes, fines, and incentives with a focus on limiting children's exposure to tobacco products and second-hand smoke, a member of parliament told Rudaw on Friday. 'According to the draft law, advertising for cigarettes, hookah, and devices used for smoking will be prohibited. Persons under 18 years of age are not allowed to smoke hookah, and smoking will not be permitted in vehicles carrying persons under 18,' said Majid Shingali, chair of the parliament's Health Committee. 'Penalties for violations of this law start from 50,000 dinars,' he added. The 21-provision draft law has passed through the first and second readings and is ready to be put to a vote, expected to take place on May 6. A scheduled vote last month did not take place as the session was postponed. If passed, the law will impose a tax of 500 Iraqi dinars (around $0.38) on each imported pack of 20 cigarettes. It will also prohibit smoking in public places, with violators facing a fine of 50,000 Iraqi dinars (around $38.20). Additionally, individuals who sell tobacco products - including hookah materials, electronic cigarettes, and vapes - to minors could face a prison sentence of no less than six months or a fine ranging from 250,000 (around $190) to 500,000 Iraqi dinars (around $382). The bill builds on a 2012 anti-smoking law that banned smoking in public places and put limits on imports of tobacco products, and it will provide incentives for tobacco farmers and cigarette manufacturers to switch to other crops or products. 'The draft law doubles the taxes on imported cigarettes and locally manufactured ones, setting the customs tariff at 40%. Loans will be given to factories producing cigarettes and hookah if they convert to other fields, and the same loans will be given to those who grow tobacco if they grow something else instead,' Shingali said. The Kurdistan Region parliament enacted an anti-smoking law in 2007 that banned smoking in public places. The law is not enforced. Smoking is highly prevalent in Iraq, including among the youth. Some 18.6 percent of people aged 15 and older smoke as do 9.5 percent for youth aged 10 to 14 years, according to 2022 figures from the Tobacco Atlas, a World Health Organization (WHO)-recognized global public health initiative. Tobacco Atlas estimates that more than 27,000 people die from smoking in Iraq each year.
Rudaw Net
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi parliament to vote on an anti-tobacco law next week: MP
Also in Iraq PM Sudani directs increased services to Faili Kurds on Faili Martyrs' Day Iraq repatriates nearly 700 nationals from Syria's al-Hol camp Five killed in Diwaniyah tribal dispute clash a day after a similar conflict in Basra Khazali says Israel seeks to 'separate' Kurdish territories in Iraq, Syria A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A draft law on combating smoking and imposing additional taxes on tobacco products will be presented for voting in the Iraqi parliament, the head of the legislature's health and environment committee told Rudaw on Wednesday. 'We are in the final drafting stage of the law on combating smoking and protecting society from its damages,' Majid Shingali said, adding that they will share the final draft with experts for 'legal and linguistic review' soon as a preparation to discuss it in next week's session. The 21-provision draft law has been passed through the first and second reading, making it ready for the final vote. If passed, the law will impose a tax of 500 Iraqi dinars (around $0.38) on each imported pack of 20 cigarettes. It will also prohibit smoking in public places, with violators facing a fine of 50,000 Iraqi dinars (around $38.20). Additionally, individuals who sell tobacco products - including hookah materials, electronic cigarettes, and vapes - to minors will be subject to a prison sentence of no less than six months or a fine ranging from 250,000 (around $190) to 500,000 Iraqi dinars (around $382). Dara Sekaniani, a member of the Iraqi parliament's legal committee, expressed pessimism regarding the passage of the draft law, saying that the legislative product was initially enacted in 2012. 'I have never heard of anyone being punished for smoking,' Sekaniani said. 'The government is not serious with its execution [anti-smoking law] and the citizens are not committed to implement it.' Similarly, the Kurdistan Region parliament enacted an anti-smoking law in 2007 that banned smoking in public places and fined people breaking the law. Nevertheless, the law remained unenforced. Smoking is highly prevalent in Iraq, with smoking prevalence for people 15 years of age and above reaching 18.6 percent, and 9.5 percent for youth aging 10 to 14 years in 2022, according to the Tobacco Atlas, a World Health Organization (WHO)-recognized global public health initiative providing data-driven insights on tobacco control. Tobacco Atlas also estimated that more than 27,000 people die from smoking in Iraq each year.
