A recent study conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet suggests that implementing higher taxes on cigarettes in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) can significantly reduce child mortality rates, especially among the most vulnerable children. Published in The Lancet Public Health, the study titled “Cigarette taxation and socioeconomic inequalities in under-five mortality across 94 low- and middle-income countries” highlights the potential impact of increased cigarette taxes on saving lives and narrowing the gap in child mortality rates.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum tax of 75% on the retail price of cigarettes, but many countries fall short of this recommendation. Lead researcher Márta Radó emphasizes that if all 94 countries included in the study had adhered to the WHO’s tax recommendation, over 280,000 children’s lives could have been saved in just one year. Additionally, implementing higher cigarette taxes could align with the UN’s sustainable development goals by reducing socioeconomic disparities in child mortality rates.
The study analyzed publicly available data from the WHO, the World Bank, and the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) spanning from 2008 to 2020. By examining the relationship between cigarette taxes and under-five mortality across different income groups, the researchers found that excise duties had the most significant impact on improving childhood survival and reducing disparities between the richest and poorest groups.
Lead author Olivia Bannon notes that smoking-related health issues disproportionately affect children in LMICs and stresses the importance of increasing cigarette taxes as a crucial policy intervention to enhance children’s health, particularly among the most vulnerable populations. The study also highlights the need for governments to overcome obstacles posed by the tobacco industry’s interference in implementing effective tobacco control measures, including higher taxes on tobacco products.
The research, conducted in collaboration with experts from Erasmus MC, McGill University, and Imperial College London, provides compelling evidence for the global health community to advocate for higher cigarette taxes in LMICs. By addressing tobacco industry tactics and other barriers, governments can prioritize public health and safeguard children’s well-being.
For more information, the study titled “Cigarette taxation and socioeconomic inequalities in under-five mortality across 94 low- and middle-income countries” can be accessed in The Lancet Public Health. The research underscores the critical role of cigarette taxes in improving childhood survival and reducing socioeconomic disparities in child mortality rates.
This article was provided by Karolinska Institutet, a renowned research institution dedicated to advancing knowledge in the field of medical science. For more information about their work, visit their website.
