Moldova is the country with the lowest price for a pack of cigarettes in the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking being one of the causes of risk of the most common non-transmitted diseases such as cancer and sugar diabetes. In this connection, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization Office in Moldova demand increasing tobacco taxes and, a result, the prices of cigarettes. According to specialists, this is the only effective method of reducing tobacco use and of saving lives, IPN reports.
In a news conference, Deputy Minister of Health Svetlana Cotelea said the tobacco products are very accessible to citizens and this is worrisome. “I would like to make reference to the bill on tobacco control, which was approved by the Government at the end of 2013 and was submitted to Parliament for examination on February 4. The bill includes a series of amendments aimed at ensuring the protection of the population from the negative effect of tobacco smoke,” she stated.
According to the estimates of the WHO, if all the countries increased the cigarettes taxes by 50%, the number of smokers would fell by 49 million and at least 11 million deaths caused by smoking would be avoided. On average, the rise in cigarette taxes and prices by 10% would lead to a 4% decrease in tobacco use in high-income countries and a 5% decline in tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO recommends a tax of minimum 75% of the retail price for the most popular brands of cigarettes. Of the 53 countries in the WHO European Region, 26 have such legislation. Thus, Europe became a world leader by cigarette taxes and prices compared with other regions of the WHO.
WHO Representative in Moldova Jarno Habicht said the rise in taxes on tobacco products will also help the state budget. The money collected as taxes can be used to treat lung and cardiovascular diseases or to combat premature mortality. Moldova ranks second in the European Region by the price of a pack of cigarettes. A pack of cigarettes in Moldova costs US$1.8, in Romania – US$3.8, in Italy – US$6.7, in Finland - US$7.6, while in France – US$9.7. “As you know, the law is in Parliament and we hope that enough courage will be found to make public health a priority,” said Jarno Habicht.
The officials noted that the rise in prices by increasing taxes will have beneficial effects on public health. A study made in 20 low- and middle-income countries in 2010 showed that a 10% increase in prices would reduce tobacco use among the young people by 18%, which is three times higher than among grownups.
