Economics for Health - EfH

08/20/2025

We are excited to share our 🆕est evidence matrix, which focuses on the 🇵🇭

In this matrix, we compiled 3️⃣2️⃣ studies on the economics of ***co & to***co control, assessing:

- impact of raising taxes on consumption & tax revenues,
- effectiveness of to***co control & cessation strategies,
- use of ******es & HTPs among different populations,

and more 🔎

Learn about the findings from 2012-2024 👇

https://www.economicsforhealth.org/research/evidence-matrix-philippines

08/13/2025

🆕 in BusinessLIVE 🇿🇦 highlights how governments in can use health taxes to respond to & fiscal challenges across the region 🌍

Raising ***co, , & sugar-sweetened beverage excise taxes & improving tax design would:

- reduce consumption, thus reducing the burden of disease, while
- increasing tax revenue collection to fill budget gaps 📈

Meanwhile, myths perpetuated by the industry, claiming that taxes increase illicit trade or disproportionately harm low-income groups are unsubstantiated by .

Learn about expert recommendations from REEP at University of Cape Town, Vital Strategies, & Economics for Health - EfH on tax policy & industry interference 👇

An oft-heard criticism against increasing health taxes is that they are regressive. There is no evidence for this

08/11/2025

In 🇪🇬, 16% of packs collected in a littered pack collection were illicit 🔎

from AASTMT Arab Academy For Science, Technology and Maritime Transport found that:

- 4️⃣4️⃣ out of 69 illicit brands did not have the required text or graphic health warning;
- 2️⃣0️⃣ illicit brands only had a text warning, often not in Arabic; and
- all 69 illicit brands were missing a tax stamp.
Meanwhile, all licit brands complied with these requirements 📈

Learn more about these findings & the recommendations for to secure the supply chain and improve tax policy 👇

https://www.economicsforhealth.org/research/comprehensive-study-of-the-to***co-market-in-egypt/

08/07/2025

📢 From 2008 to 2022, stick sales decreased 11.6%, although progress varied greatly between regions 🌎

In a 🆕 study, CDC Foundation & Economics for Health - EfH find:
- large decreases in cigarette sales in the & , but
- an increase in sales in the Eastern Mediterranean & , where prices did not increase significantly 📊

The estimate that raising cigarette prices 1️⃣0️⃣% would reduce demand by 4.4% around the world, including:
- 9% in the Americas,
- 5% in the Western Pacific & Europe, &
- 3% in the Eastern Mediterranean 📉

Learn more about these findings & recommendations for to strengthen ***co control by improving tax policy in BMJ's To***co Control 👇

https://to***cocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2025/08/05/tc-2025-059487

08/06/2025

Congratulations to Universidade Católica de Brasília 🇧🇷 on their latest publication, titled "Cross-price elasticity between licit and illicit consumption in Brazil" 🎉

The find that a 10% increase in the price of legal ******es would:
- ⬇️ legal cigarette consumption 4️%, but
- not impact illicit cigarette consumption.

On the other hand, a 10% increase in the price of illicit ci******es would:
- ⬇️ illicit cigarette consumption 2.5%, and
- ⬆️ legal cigarette consumption ~ 1% 📊

These findings dispel industry claims about the illicit market in , highlighting the opportunity for to raise ***co taxes 📈

Check out our 🆕 on the topic 👇
https://www.economicsforhealth.org/blog/do-cigarette-tax-hikes-increase-the-illegal-market-brazils-data-says-no/

& learn more in the Journal of Applied 👇
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15140326.2025.2509236?src=exp-la

07/31/2025

In 🇵🇰, a 🆕 2025 survey of shows significantly less illicit trade than the ***co industry claims 🔎

Social Policy and Development Centre estimates that the overall extent of illicit trade is 3️⃣5️⃣%, not 54% as cited by the industry. The researchers also find:

- more illicit trade in rural areas compared to urban areas, at 39% & 27%, respectively, and
- some success in the track & trace system, with required tax stamps on 57% of packs compared to 48% of packs in 2023 📈

Learn more about the findings & recommendations to reduce illicit trade by strengthening oversight and enforcement, while continuing to raise to***co taxes to reduce consumption 👇

https://www.economicsforhealth.org/research/from-claims-to-evidence-the-extent-of-illicit-trade-of-ci******es-in-pakistan/

07/29/2025

We are so excited to share our 🆕est release with colleagues from Vital Strategies, REEP at University of Cape Town, & ONE 🎉

Learn more about the potential for ***co, alcohol, & SSB taxes to benefit the region 🌍 in the 👇

https://www.vitalstrategies.org/resources/the-future-of-health-financing-in-africa-the-role-of-health-taxes/
.. and stay tuned for a recording from our launch, coming soon!

JUST LAUNCHED: New report on the role of health taxes in Africa’s future.

As noncommunicable diseases surge and donor aid declines, health taxes are a proven way to save lives and raise domestic revenue.

Our new report, The Future of Health Financing in Africa: The Role of Health Taxes, details how targeted taxes on to***co, alcohol, and sugary drinks can reduce harmful consumption, generate billions in revenue, and ease pressure on health systems.

It includes country case studies, policy design guidance, and data-driven insights.

Produced in collaboration with Economics for Health - EfH and the Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products (REEP) at the University of Cape Town, the report details how African countries can leverage health taxes for a healthier, more self-reliant future.

Read the report at https://vitalstrat.org/4odCoXV

07/28/2025

In 🌍, policymakers have an opportunity to improve health taxes to strengthen , raise tax revenues, & lower longer-term health system costs 🔎

Tomorrow, join our for the release of a 🆕 brief on ***co, alcohol, & sugar-sweetened beverage taxes in the region, happening:

🗓️ July 29
🕛 12pm ET

Register below to hear from Economics for Health - EfH & our colleagues from Vital Strategies, REEP at University of Cape Town, & ONE 👇

https://vitalstrategies.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7-lJuGcmRCOuxz1YBkKUbw?utm_source=Vital+Strategies+News&utm_campaign=059020376f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_06_10_01_49_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-8db1ce742f-480558232&mc_cid=059020376f&mc_eid=a65f7a9499 #/registration

07/24/2025

We are excited to share our updated 🇮🇩 Evidence Matrix, which includes 1️⃣3️⃣3️⃣ studies from 1999 to 2024!

The matrix includes on the impact of ***co use on poverty, youth initiation, & the potential impact of alternate taxes on consumption & tax revenues 📚

Check it out to learn more about the latest findings 👇
https://www.economicsforhealth.org/research/evidence-matrix-indonesia/

07/22/2025

📢 Join us next Tuesday, July 29 at 12pm ET, for the launch of our 🆕 brief on health taxes in !

Together with Vital Strategies, REEP at University of Cape Town, & ONE, we will discuss how well-designed ***co, alcohol, & SSB taxes can:

- prevent premature death and disease,
- generate additional tax revenue, &
- reduce long-term health system costs across the region 🌍

Register here 👇
https://vitalstrategies.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7-lJuGcmRCOuxz1YBkKUbw?utm_source=Vital+Strategies+News&utm_campaign=059020376f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_06_10_01_49_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-8db1ce742f-480558232&mc_cid=059020376f&mc_eid=a65f7a9499 #/registration

It’s time to discuss how health taxes offer a powerful yet underutilized tool to reduce harmful product consumption, improve health outcomes, and generate revenue.

Register here https://vitalstrat.org/44Qgj8U to join Vital Strategies, Economics for Health - EfH, REEP at the University of Cape Town, and ONE for a virtual briefing about our new publication: The Future of Health Financing in Africa: The Role of Health Taxes. Experts will share insights into the current landscape of health taxes in Africa and offer evidence-based policy recommendations.

🗓️ July 29
🕓 12:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. CAT
📍 Online
💬 Live Q&A

07/22/2025

In 🇻🇳, there is a growing knowledge base on the economics of ***co & to***co control 🔎

The 🆕ly updated Economics for Health - EfH evidence matrix compiles key takeaways from 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣ studies, highlighting successes & opportunities for decision makers to strengthen policies.

Check it out to learn more 👇
https://www.economicsforhealth.org/research/evidence-matrix-vietnam/

07/16/2025

🆕 from Jordan University of Science and Technology JUST assesses the ***co market in Amman, Irbid, & Al Mafraq governorates 🇯🇴

The survey results show that consume 25-26 ******es each day, on average, as ci******es are cheap & affordable at only:

- JD 2.15 for an licit pack, on average &
- JD 2.13 for an illicit pack, on average 🔎

The also find that 22% of all smokers purchased illicit ci******es; and males, those ages 26-36, those living in Amman or Al Mafraq, those who are married, & those who are more educated 📈

Learn more about these findings & recommendations in 👇

https://www.economicsforhealth.org/research/an-analysis-of-the-to***co-market-in-jordan-a-household-survey/