Programs for Combating Smoking, Health Tax

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are expected to double customs tariffs on cigarette and other tobacco imports next month. A meeting of the finance ministers from six Gulf states scheduled to be held in May will approve the increase, according to a senior Saudi official. Majed Al-Monief, supervisor of the program for combating smoking at the Ministry of Health, said the ministers of finance and health from the GCC states have already agreed in principle to raise the levy charged on tobacco imports from 100 to 200 percent. “The new duty will be known as the ‘health tax,’ taking into account the huge amount of money each GCC state spends on the treatment of tobacco-related diseases as well as for the rehabilitation of smokers. The finance ministers will decide when the tax will take effect,” Al-Moneif told Asharq Al-Awsat daily yesterday.

Cigarette Packs With No Branding

A bitter row over Government moves to strip cigarette packets of branding was growing tonight. Health campaigners welcomed plans for plain packaging on tobacco products in a bid to cut smoking, but opponents claimed the proposals would lead to increased smuggling and job losses. As the Government prepared to launch a public consultation on Monday, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Health ministers across the UK have a responsibility to look closely at initiatives that might encourage smokers to quit and stop young people from taking up smoking in the first place.

Smoking Tobacco More Bad than Chewing Gum

It appears that the number of smokers, especially among young people, is on the rise. Smoking is banned in public places so non-smokers do not have to inhale second-hand smoke. But why not ban the sale of cigarettes altogether? The sale of chewing gum was banned in Singapore because it was not being disposed of correctly. But chewing gum is not harmful to health like tobacco. So isn't it more important to ban cigarettes?

Tobacco Sales Increased because of Cigarettes Displays

The Government has brought in the ruling with the aim of protecting children from being the target of tobacco promotion and helping people quit smoking. The Department of Health says evidence shows cigarette displays in shops can lure young people into lighting up, with nearly two-thirds of current and ex-smokers saying they picked up the habit before 18. A Morrisons' spokesman said: "We are prepared for the ban on the display of tobacco. "We have redesigned the tobacco booths in all stores in accordance with the regulations and have ensured all of our colleagues are aware of the changes."

Smokers Pay More for Cigarettes

The statutory warning on the box says ‘Smoking kills; tobacco causes cancer’. But it is now turning detrimental for your wealth, too, as cigarette prices have increased 9-12 per cent in the past week. For instance, a pack of 20 Classic branded cigarettes (from ITC) now costs Rs 120. The increase in this case has been nine per cent or Rs 10 per packet. Similarly, retailers are selling a 10-stick pack of Navy Cut cigarettes (also from ITC) for Rs 48-50 instead of Rs 44. However, the maximum retail prices printed on these packets have not changed so far as cigarette makers are yet to formally announce a price rise. "The stockists have already increased the price. We have no option but to charge a higher price," said a retailer.