Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Tobacco kills 8 million people each year.

In many countries, cigarettes cost less than staples like, milk, sugar, shampoo, bread, etc.

The most sold brand of cigarettes became more affordable, or the affordability remained constant, in 97 countries between 2016 and 2018.

Higher tobacco prices encourage cessation among existing tobacco users, prevent initiation among potential users, and reduce the quantity of tobacco consumed among continuing users.

Country-Level Data on Economic Costs of Tobacco: Includes data from around the world exposing the damage down to national economies due to tobacco.

Country-Level Data on Price of Cigarettes Vs. Other Household Goods: Includes data from around the world showing how cheap tobacco is compared to other products.

Given income growth and little or no increases in tobacco taxes, the affordability of tobacco products has increased in many low- and middle-income countries over the years.

Simplified tax structures tax all tobacco products at the same rate.

Simplified tax structures are easy for governments to administer.

Tobacco use costs the world over 1.4 trillion USD in health care costs and lost productivity, equivalent in magnitude to 1.8% of global GDP.

Cigarettes are currently more affordable in high-income countries than in low- and middle-income countries.

Between 2001 and 2014, the price of cigarettes decreased in low income countries while tobacco consumption increased.

The medical expenses and loss of earnings associated with tobacco-related illnesses contribute to pushing millions of households into financial crisis and deeper poverty every year.

There were about 100 million deaths from tobacco in the 20th century. If current patterns persist, tobacco will kill some 1 billion people in this century.

Tobacco-related illnesses and premature mortality negatively impact the economy. Lost economic opportunities due to sick workers and premature deaths during prime productive years are particularly severe in developing countries where tobacco use is high and growing.

Fast-growing countries with suboptimal tobacco tax policy face particularly great tobacco control challenges.

Tobacco taxes should be between two-thirds to four-fifths of the retail price. Unfortunately, few low- and middle-income countries achieve this level of taxation.