Newly discovered: ACS funded by IDRC to study cigarette taxation in Tanzania

This project was funded (CAD 42.2300) on September 25 2009, for one year. The goal is to demonstrate that increased taxation will reduce consumption without reducing tax revenues, in fact increasing tax revenues. Contact: Evan Blecher, a South African economist now with the American Cancer Society.

Cigarette Taxation in Tanzania 

Project Number 103440Start Date 2009/09/25Program Area/Group SEP | ATSA

Subject Terms	TAXATION | TOBACCO | SMOKING | PREVENTIVE MEDICINE | DISEASE CONTROL
Area Under Study	Sub-Saharan Africa | East Africa | Tanzania, United Republic of

Project Type	Research Project
Project Sub-Type	Policy
Project Status	Active
Administrative Unit	Ottawa
Regional Office Area	ESARO
Responsible Officer	Leppan, Wardie
ODA Sector	Health Policy & Admin. Management
Canadian Collaboration	No
Duration (months)	12
Extension (months)	0
Planned Completion Date	2010/09/25
Total Funding	42300

Abstract

Tobacco consumption in Tanzania rose by 20% between 2002 and 2007, and is predicted to increase by a further 46% by 2016. The impact of this increase in consumption on public health and economic development is likely to be serious. Experience elsewhere has shown that the single most effective way to reverse this trend is to increase taxes on cigarettes. However, policymakers need evidence that this is true for Tanzania. This project will endeavor to demonstrate that taxing cigarettes can reduce consumption while increasing government revenue. Researchers will build a model of the demand for cigarettes, establishing the relationship between the price of cigarettes and consumption. They will use the research results to convince policymakers to raise cigarette taxes to a level that will result in reduced use. At the same time, they will create a toolkit for the collection and analysis of data that can serve as a model for other countries in the region.

Recipient Institution(s)

American Cancer Society, Inc.

Acronym	ACS
Street Address	1599 Clifton Road, NE | Atlanta, Georgia 30329-4251 | USA
Website	http://www.cancer.org
Institution Type	Private - Not for Profit
Geographic Scope	International
UN Organization	No

Component Number	001
Research Status	Active
Institution Country	United States
Researcher Name	Evan Blecher

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