Ministry of Health Prepares Tobacco Law Inspired by the Philippines Model
The Ministry of Health plans to make the tobacco industry pay for the cost of smoking-related diseases in its new tobacco law, taking the Philippines model as an example.
The draft of the new tobacco law prepared by the Ministry of Health aims to place the financial burden caused by smoking-related illnesses in the health budget onto the tobacco industry.
The Philippines Model is Taken as an Example
Thanks to the tax reform implemented in the Philippines in 2012, revenues generated from alcohol and cigarettes were transferred directly to the health budget, and consumption rates decreased.
Health Tax and New Regulations
Prof. Dr. Toker Ergüder, a member of the Green Crescent (Yeşilay) Science Board, stated that the new draft law contains provisions aimed at protecting children and youth and shifting the costs of smoking harms onto the tobacco industry.
Similar International Practices
While there are approximately 48 countries in the world that transfer tobacco taxes directly to health budgets or control funds, similar compensation rulings have also been implemented in the United States in the past.
Expected Financial Contribution for Turkey
The health fund planned to be launched in Turkey is projected to provide between 40 and 80 billion liras in resources to the budget through small amounts added per pack.
The Cost of Tobacco Use
While the annual cost of tobacco use to Turkey's economy reaches approximately 24 billion dollars, 100,000 people lose their lives every year due to smoking.