Spain has banned characterising flavours, including menthol, in heated tobacco products, and further requires these products to contain health warning labels, in line with regulations for boxed cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco. These provisions are stipulated in Royal Decree 47/2024 of 16 January 2024, which modifies Royal Decree 579/2017, of 9 June 2017.

The WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub for Tobacco Taxation, based at the University of Cape Town, opens a call for expression of interest for technical assistance in tax simulation modelling aimed at addressing the challenges posed by tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

With support from Cancer Research UK, an observer to the Conference of the Parties to the WHO FCTC, this initiative aims to support approximately six countries from June 2024 to June 2026, with a preference for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

This project offers expertise in tax reform, including retrospective analyses, prospective modelling, training, and ongoing support. For additional information, please, see the document attached.

Applications are encouraged from LMICs interested in leveraging taxation strategies to tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Apply by 11:59 pm SAST on Friday, 12 April 2024, using the form found through this link.

For specific consultations, please, contact the Knowledge Hub at tobaccotaxationkh@gmail.com.

Tobacco use is recognized as a global public health problem killing nearly 8 million people annually. Globally, an estimated 8.71 million deaths and 229.77 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were associated with tobacco use in 2019, with cardiovascular disease, neoplasms, and chronic respiratory diseases identified as the leading causes of mortality. Although there has been a historical decline in tobacco-related deaths from 1990 to 2019, mortality rates and the burden of disabilities have consistently remained higher in countries with low to middle incomes.

The WHO South-East Asia Region, which is one of the largest consumers and producers of tobacco products, encounters 1.6 million deaths annually due to tobacco-related health complications. The prevalence of smokeless tobacco is still very high in this Region, and youth tobacco use is a source of deep concern. Consequently, the implementation of strict tobacco control strategies is imperative to accelerate the decline in the overall prevalence of tobacco use.

The illicit trade of tobacco also contributes significantly to the tobacco-related disease burden. The global estimate of the size of the illicit cigarette market is 11.6%. From a trade perspective, this translates to 657 billion sticks a year and approximately USD 40.5 billion in lost revenue globally. For low- and middle-income countries, eliminating the illicit trade would result in approximately USD 18.3 million in revenue, and from a health standpoint, it would save around 132,000 lives annually. While the volume of the illicit market has remained steady over time, overall cigarette consumption is declining. Consequently, the absolute size of the illicit trade market is shrinking as well.

It also notes that the common narrative of the tobacco industry – that higher tax would result in more illicit trade - turns out to be a myth for the Region.

Access the full report through this link.