According to a report by moneyweb on January 9, with the rise of e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products, the global debate on nicotine product tax rates continues to heat up. The issue involves divergent views among economists and health experts, challenging how countries rationally decide on tax policies for these nicotine products.
Economists advocate taking into account valuable economic outcomes and individual freedoms when taxing to ensure that tax-inclusive prices reflect all costs associated with production and consumption. However, health experts prefer health impacts over economic impacts, advocating for higher taxes and regulations to reduce the adverse effects of nicotine products on public health.
Currently, countries around the world are looking for a balance between economics and health. South Africa reconsiders its tobacco and nicotine tax package, taking into account income inequality and public health challenges.
In economic theory, economists believe that reflecting all net costs in nicotine product prices provides consumers with accurate information that allows them to make informed decisions. Health experts, on the other hand, advocate that governments limit the consumption of nicotine products through high taxes, bans, and regulations to reduce their negative health effects.
South Africa, a country facing income inequality and public health challenges, has chosen to adopt a risk-based tax rate for nicotine products, taking into account the weakness of the public health system and the high susceptibility of low-income populations to non-communicable diseases. This sparked widespread discussion about the wisdom of this decision.
To sum up, the issue of nicotine taxation on a global scale involves many interests and perspectives. How to find a balance between economy and health has become a common challenge faced by policymakers in various countries.
