New Tobacco Regulation from the Ministry of Health and the Philippines Model
The Philippines model is being considered in the new draft law prepared to cover the damage caused by the tobacco industry to the health budget.
The new cigarette and tobacco products law being worked on by the Ministry of Health examines the Philippines model, which envisions the tobacco industry paying for the damage caused by smoking-related diseases to the health budget.
Details of the New Draft Law
The new law targeting cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, which is being worked on by the Ministry of Health, aims to impose the costs caused by the tobacco industry onto the industry itself.
The Philippines Model and Health Fund
The Philippines practice, where revenues generated from alcohol and cigarettes are directly transferred to the health budget through a tax reform in 2012, is being taken as an example in the new regulation.
International Examples and Successes
While there are approximately 48 countries in the world where tobacco taxes are directly allocated to health budgets, similar practices are also implemented in countries such as the United States of America and Thailand.
Expected Resource for Turkey
If a similar health fund is put into operation in Turkey, it is projected that small amounts to be added per pack will provide a massive contribution to the country's health expenditures.
The Cost of Tobacco Use
While one out of every three adults in Turkey uses a tobacco product, the annual cost of tobacco use to the country's economy is around 24 billion dollars.