More in SA stubbing out

2008-02-24 22:14

Johannesburg - Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on Sunday welcomed the new global tobacco report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which indicates that consumption of cigarettes has declined in the country.

"This is a 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 world-wide," said Tshabalala-Msimang.

Higher taxes

The WHO report stated that higher taxes were especially important for deterring tobacco use among the young and the poor, who would benefit most from a decrease in consumption.

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 the report 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 WHO report indicated that consumption decreased from close to two billion packs of cigarettes in 1990 to 1.3 billion in 2005.

Of the decrease, 40% was attributable to smokers quitting because of significant increase in prices of cigarettes.

Drop among young people

The largest decrease was among young people and low-wage earners who reduced smoking most when prices increased.

The report suggested that higher taxes reduce consumption of tobacco and lead to lower health-care costs.

The intervention 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 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.

- SAPA