Call for higher taxes in Asean countries

Regional tobacco control groups have called for higher cigarette taxation among Asean (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) countries and a crackdown on the illicit trade so as to reduce consumption, according to a story in the Bangkok Post.

The call came during the Tobacco Taxation and Illicit Trade workshop held at the World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila last week.

“Tobacco taxation hasn’t yet been fully implemented in Asean countries,” Bungon Ritthiphakdee, director for the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (Seatca), was quoted as saying.

“Cigarette prices are still affordable in most countries. Hence, consumption is increasing in the region.”

A Seatca survey found that about 9.25 billion cigarettes were smoked daily in Asean countries.