adminAlcohol, tobacco taxes to go up
From Morris Mkwate in New York
CONCERNED by the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, the Government is considering raising alcohol and tobacco taxes to finance the prevention and treatment of such conditions.
The move will push retail prices of the products upwards.
Speaking ahead of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs, which begins here today, Health and Child Welfare Minister Dr Henry Madzorera said he would present the proposals to Cabinet after the Summit.
Although statistics were not readily available, he said alcohol and tobacco were responsible for a good number of NCDs.
A non-communicable disease is a medical condition that is non-infectious, for instance, cancer and diabetes.
“We are going to propose taxes on tobacco and alcohol; Government will look into the issue. Taxes reduce consumption (of the two products) and the money raised will go towards improving programmes related to the diseases they cause,” he said.
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