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To prevent Senegal and the West African zone from being the refuge of the tobacco industry, the Consortium for Economic and Social Research (Cres) recommends, after research, to raise taxes on tobacco products
The Consortium for Economic and Social Research (Cres), at a regional conference on the dissemination of research results of the project "Action on the Taxation of Tobacco Products in West Africa", proposed increase taxes on these products. This will discourage consumption and put the costs of smoking on smokers and the tobacco industry. This is useful, according to the Executive Director of Cres, Professor Abdoulaye Diagne, because smoking is one of the greatest threats to global health. Although there are many instruments available today, he believes that "the substantial increase in taxes and prices is the most effective measure to combat this scourge". Mr. Diagne indicates that the Cres had demonstrated it through an argument elaborated at the request of the Member States of ECOWAS and UEMOA. This body has thus proved that "tobacco consumption is noticeably and continuously decreasing only in countries that have adopted a policy of strong and steady increase in the selling prices of tobacco products. This, through a significant increase in tax levels. "
Low taxes in the ECOWAS zone
However, it notes that, in the countries of ECOWAS, the total taxes, excluding VAT, represents only 30% of the average selling price of cigarettes, while it is 62% on average in the countries of the European Union (EU). This is below the rate of at least 70% set by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Abdoulaye Diagne therefore calls for the application by the member states of the new ECOWAS directive on the taxation of tobacco products of 2017.
The Director of Customs of the ECOWAS Commission, Salifou Tiemtoré agreed, welcoming the collaboration and technical work of the Cres on tobacco taxation. He recalled that before the partnership with the Cres tobacco was considered a normal product, a good like any other, and the taxation that was applied was simply a matter of common law. "The work done by the Cres and the quality of the reports published during the first phase of this ambitious project, and especially the dissemination of the results, made it possible to place the fight against smoking at the level of national and regional priorities at the top of the agenda. the agenda of ECOWAS Member States ", explains Mr. Tiemtoré
Returning to the ECOWAS directive that the tax on tobacco products represents 70% of the value of products, he acknowledges that This document needs to be explained and sensitized for its adoption by the States. It is also necessary to harmonize the two directives of ECOWAS and UEMOA, counterbalance the communication of the manufacturers of tobacco products and the direct link which is established between the increase of the fraud and the increase of the price of the tobacco, etc.
Lansanna Sidibé, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Health and Social Action, also says that it has been proven that the substantial and steady increase in taxes and prices is the most effective way to reduce consumption of tobacco.
Oumar KANDE
THE ANNUAL COST OF SMOKING ESTIMATED AT 122 BILLION CFA PER YEAR IN SENEGAL …
According to the results of the research of the Cres which conducted a survey of 2001 patients in 14 public hospitals in Senegal, in 2017/2018, the annual cost of smoking is estimated at nearly 122 billion FCFA in Senegal. The expenses related to care (direct costs) are included in this sum and amount to 74 billion FCfa. Ditto for loss of income due to absenteeism from work and death of patients (indirect costs) estimated at CFAF 48 billion
O. KANDE
… FOR 24 BILLION CFA OF INCOME
The same document reveals that the revenue from tobacco consumption is 24 billion CFA francs, of which 20 billion are tax revenues and $ 4 billion in revenue (wages, business profits). Compared to 122 billion annual cost, smoking finally costs 98 billion to Senegalese society. Households support 71 billion FCfa of costs per year and the State spends FCFA 51 billion for the treatment of patients suffering from diseases related to the consumption of tobacco products. The treatment of noncommunicable diseases attributable to the consumption of tobacco products thus absorbs 17% of the budget that Senegal allocates annually to the health sector.
O. KANDE
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