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Tag: Morocco

  • Morocco Launches Next Phase to Curb Smoking

    Morocco Launches Next Phase to Curb Smoking

    Calling tobacco use one of Moracco’s most serious health concerns, Health Minister Amine Tahraoui announced the second phase of a national plan to address it. Speaking at the House of Representatives earlier this week, Tahraoui outlined the plan scheduled to run through 2029, part of a strategy to address non-communicable diseases and ultimately reduce smoking by 20% in the nation. Combating tobacco use was a priority under the first phase, the National Plan for Cancer Prevention and Control, which ran from 2010-2019.

    The second phase will have several new measures, mostly centered around raising public awareness and launching campaigns focused on educating citizens.

    “Every year, nearly 8 million lives are lost to tobacco worldwide,” Tahraoui said. “Morocco must take stronger steps to safeguard its population from this tragic reality.” The minister said 8% of Moroccan deaths are attributed to tobacco use, costing the nation $500 million each year, which represents 8.5% of total healthcare expenditures and 0.45% of the national GDP.

  • Morocco Cigarette Prices to Increase

    Morocco Cigarette Prices to Increase

    Morocco will see an increase in cigarette prices this year, reports Morocco World News.

    Some packs will increase by up to MAD2 ($0.20) while premium brands will have minimal or no increase.

    The increase is aimed at narrowing the gap between low-cost and premium cigarettes to create a more balanced market, according to the Moroccan government.

    Entry-level brands are the main targets of the increase. Societe Marocaine des Tabacas raised prices of Gauloises and Marquise by MAD1. Philip Morris International increased L&M and Chesterfield prices by MAD2. Japan Tobacco International increased prices of Monte Carlo by MAD2 and LD by MAD1. Camel saw an increase of MAD0.5.

    Morocco’s 2025 finance bill introduced measures to boost tax revenues while increasing public spending and investment, with a goal of reducing the budget deficit to 3.5 percent of GDP. In order to achieve this goal, the government plans to raise domestic consumption taxes on products like hard alcohol, beer, and manufactured tobacco. This is projected to bring in MAD657.8 billion, which is a 14.49 percent increase. Tax revenues from cigarettes are expected to be MAD13.7 billion.  

    The Domestic Consumption Tax’s specific quota will increase to MAD550 while the minimum tax per 1,000 cigarettes will increase to MAD953.

  • Morocco Expects Surge in Tobacco Revenues

    Morocco Expects Surge in Tobacco Revenues

    Image: alexlmx

    The Moroccan government expects to collect more than MAD13.7 billion ($1.32 billion) in tax revenue from tobacco sales, reports Morocco World News, citing data from the 2025 finance bill.

    This year’s budget introduces measures to increase tax revenue aimed at supporting economic growth, including domestic taxes on alcohol, beer and tobacco consumption.

    The finance bill aims to increase the government’s total tax take by 14.49 percent to MAD657.8 billion, with significant additional contributions expected from smokers and alcohol drinkers.

    Ministers met Oct. 18 at the Royal Place in Rabat to discuss key elements of the 2025 finance bill. Among other goals, the legislation aims to strengthen social cohesion, boost “economic sovereignty” and ensure sustainable public finances.

  • JTI to Build Factory in Morocco

    JTI to Build Factory in Morocco

    Image: REC and ROLL

    Japan Tobacco International will break ground in August for a MAD931 million ($92 million) factory near Tangier, Morocco, reports Morocco World News.

    “This is a historic moment that marks the beginning of a new era for JTI in North and West Africa,” said Jose Luis Amador, general director of JTI Northern and Western Africa.

    He praised the support from Moroccan authorities, which he described as exemplary and in line with Morocco’s reputation for a favorable business environment.

    Once operational, the facility will create 170 direct jobs and numerous indirect employment opportunities in the region, according to JTI, which aims to hire 30 percent women at its new facility.

    The factory will be built on a 4.7-hectare site with an 18,000-square-meter built area. It will implement energy efficiency measures, such as LED lighting and automated climate control systems. Additionally, a rainwater collection and recycling system will be installed to handle nonpotable water needs.

  • Morocco to Cap Cigarette Deliveries

    Morocco to Cap Cigarette Deliveries

    Image: Achira22

    Morocco will tighten regulations on cigarette sales starting Jan. 1, 2024, reports Morocco World News.

    The new rules set maximum levels of substances in domestically sold cigarettes. Tar content will be capped at 10 milligrams, nicotine at 1 milligram and carbon monoxide at 10 milligrams.

    The Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration announced that all cigarettes must be accompanied by laboratory analysis results from accredited laboratories.

    Earlier this month, the Commission for the Approval of Manufactured Tobacco Product Prices approved a hike in cigarette prices. Starting Jan. 1, 2024, smokers will pay an additional MAD1 ($0.10) to MAD2 per cigarette pack.

    Morocco’s budget calls for an increase in the domestic consumption tax on tobacco from MAD100 in 2022 to MAD 550 by 2026.

    Tax authorities expect to collect about MAD12.5 billion from manufactured tobacco sales in 2023, up 5.82 percent from the amount earned in 2022.

  • Morocco to Hike Duties on Disposables

    Morocco to Hike Duties on Disposables

    Photo: alexlmx

    Morocco will increase customs duties on e-cigarettes under the 2024 budget, reports Morocco World News.  

    The import duties would hike the levies on disposable electronic cigarettes from 2.5 percent to 40 percent. The goal of the increase is to apply the same import duty rate to disposable electronic cigarettes as that applied to other electronic cigarettes for the 2023 fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

    The 2024 draft budget also proposes an increase in import duty from 2.5 percent to 30 percent for certain consumer products and equipment. This increase would “strengthen the protection of local production of these products and equipment and promote the establishment of production units in Morocco.”

  • Morocco: Tobacco Tax to Increase

    Morocco: Tobacco Tax to Increase

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    The price of tobacco-based products, including cigarettes, will increase effective January 2023 in Morocco, according to the Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxation, reports Morocco World News.

    The increase is part of Morocco’s five-year strategy to decrease smoking rates by raising tariffs. Cigarettes sold in the country will see a MAD1 ($0.09) to MAD2 per pack increase.

    Taxes on tobacco-based products will be gradually increased annually for five years under the new strategy.

    Shisha and electronic cigarette prices are also set to increase. Now, for every kilo of shisha smoking material, consumers will pay MAD675.

    Tax revenues from tobacco products are expected to reach MAD12.5 billion, about a 6 percent increase.

  • Morocco to Increase Waterpipe Taxes

    Morocco to Increase Waterpipe Taxes

    Photo: alexlmx

    Morocco is preparing to increase taxes on waterpipes, reports Morocco World News.

    The country’s Finance and Economic Development Committee approved the new taxes on Nov. 9. Following the increase, smokers would pay MAD675 ($63) per kg of shisha smoking material.

    The approval comes after a government amendment to the Finance Bill of 2023 extending the tax base to include shisha without tobacco and electronic cigarettes. 

    Officials said the measure “aims to preserve the health of consumers, especially young adults, and to protect them against the negative effects of consumption and addiction to these products.” 

    The statement further explains that the imports of tobacco-free shisha are not subject to taxes, although they carry the same health risks as tobacco-based shisha. 

    The decision to raise the tax is based on World Health Organization research indicating that smoking products containing a mixture of fruits and herbs without tobacco pose a similar risk to tobacco products. 

    The WHO recommends subjecting such products to the same restrictions and taxes as tobacco products.

    According to the Moroccan government, the European Commission classifies herbal mixtures, aromatic herbs or fruits as smoking products.