The Executive Director of Programmes at the Vision for Alternative Development – Ghana (VALD) has encouraged the government to raise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and sugar to fund the management of non-communicable diseases.
According to Labram Musah, the government should contribute a portion of these levies to the National Health Insurance Scheme to address kidney problems, liver diseases, and other significant health crises.
He made the statements at the launch and dissemination of the Rapid Study of Tobacco Industry Interference in the Passage of the Excise Duty Amendment Act 2023.
He explained that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has experimentally discovered that tobacco smoking is strongly connected with the beginning and progression of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
He said that tobacco control strategies, such as tobacco taxes, have been endorsed by ECOWAS and WHO as cost-effective treatments for preventing and reducing NCDs.
As a result, he believes that Ghana must continue to raise tobacco taxes to achieve the goal of lowering NDCs.
He expressed worry over the recent closure of the renal unit at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the death of the 19 persons who needed the services of the facility.
He was worried that the rate of kidney-related issues and other non-communicable cases were a threat to public health hence the need for the government to take steps to address them.
“We support the government’s decision to raise tobacco taxes.” tobacco. Tobacco taxation has been proposed as a cost-effective measure for preventing and controlling NCDs by ECOWAS and WHO. Some firms have objected to this to safeguard their interests. Tobacco and alcoholic beverages would be cheaper without taxes, and our youth would buy them. Tobacco use is the primary cause of cancer, liver disease, and other noncommunicable diseases.
Tobacco, alcohol, and sugar taxes are all supported by us. The taxes will protect our children and youth. When tobacco and alcohol become more expensive, it reduces the number of young people who buy them and helps to avoid diseases, which is something we advocate for.”
He also stated that actions to protect adolescents, in particular, were needed.
Several of them, he added, are now addicted to smoke and alcohol because such items are inexpensive.
He reiterated that tobacco is toxic and that all well-meaning Ghanaians should back their demand to assist in addressing the issue.
By: Rashid Obodai Provencal/Rainbowradioonline.com