Health Tax Model Being Studied for Tobacco Products
A new model introducing an additional fee on tobacco products to cover healthcare expenses has been brought to the agenda.
The Ministry of Health is conducting studies on a health tax model that introduces an additional fee per pack in order for the industry to contribute to the healthcare expenditures caused by tobacco products.
Purpose of the New Regulation
In the new regulation prepared by the Ministry of Health, it is aimed to cover a portion of the burden of healthcare expenses arising from cigarettes and tobacco products from the tobacco industry.
In this context, it is stated that a new financing model covering cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco products is being evaluated.
Annual Resource Expectation
Prof. Dr. Toker Ergüder, a member of the Green Crescent Scientific Board, stated that if the system in question is implemented, an annual resource between 40 and 80 billion lira could be generated.
It is planned to transfer the resource to be obtained to preventive health services and smoking cessation programs conducted by family medicine practices.
International Examples
In the draft study, the system implemented in the Philippines in 2012, where tobacco revenues are directly transferred to the health budget, is being examined as an example.
It is stated that there are approximately 48 countries worldwide that allocate tobacco tax revenues to the health budget and control funds.
Tobacco Costs in Turkey
Pointing out that one out of every three adults in Turkey uses a tobacco product, experts emphasize that the annual cost of tobacco use to the country is approximately 24 billion dollars.
It is stated that the annual expenditure amount made by households for tobacco products is around 15 billion dollars.