WHO engagement with Member States on tobacco taxation

Overview

The World Health Organization (WHO) has engaged with Ministry of Finance (MoF) officials from a large number of countries around the world to provide technical assistance to Member States on tobacco taxation. The objectives of these engagements are to:

• Raise taxes to increase the price of tobacco products, as it is proven to reduce tobacco consumption and help the governments achieve their public health objectives;
• Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of tax systems to improve the sustainability of tax revenue, and ensure that the governments collect expected tax revenues without any tax leakages; and
• Increase the technical and administrative capacity of tax and customs officials to monitor the tobacco market and improve tax compliance, so that the risks of tax evasion and avoidance are reduced.

This document summarizes the country-level engagements, regional and country tax seminars and meetings since 2007, and recent outcomes in 2012– 2013 and 2013–2014 in tobacco tax policy changes in the countries that WHO has provided support.