Promoting Health Through Tobacco Taxation
- Mohammed K. Ali, MBChB, MSc;
- Jeffrey P. Koplan, MD, MPH
- Author Affiliations: Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health (Dr Ali), and Global Health Institute (Dr Koplan), Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
- KEYWORDS:
- HEALTH POLICY
- LEGISLATION
- PUBLIC HEALTH
- SMOKING
- TAXES
- TOBACCO
- TOBACCO SMOKE POLLUTION
- WORLD HEALTH
Taxing tobacco has been a long-standing contributor to government revenues. Tobacco excise taxes were first proposed by Alexander Hamilton in 1794 but not effectively implemented until the 1860s. By 1880, tax on tobacco accounted for 31% of total federal tax receipts.1 In addition to revenue generation, tobacco taxation has proved an effective policy measure to reduce tobacco consumption in many countries (eg, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa). In 2010, in the context of world leaders (especially in Japan, China, and the United States) contemplating or enacting legislation regarding excise tax increases on tobacco products, it is important to consider the broader determinants of promoting health through taxation.
As a result of the fairly rapid effects of tax increases, most tobacco control leaders consider this approach an independently effective intervention. Even though tax increases are effective and desirable, sustained success in tobacco control requires multifaceted efforts. …
