‘Tax on alcohol, tobacco to benefit poor’

‘Tax on alcohol, tobacco to benefit poor’

What has happened?

Levying taxes on unhealthy products can produce major health gains for the poorest in society, especially if tax revenues are used to fund pro-poor programmes, noted a study published in the Lancet on Thursday. These unhealthy products include soft drinks, alcohol and tobacco.

Poor households most affected by diseases

Poor and uninsured households are more likely to incur catastrophic healthcare costs from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and are more likely to forgo care for chronic health problems compared to higher income households

Why this study is important?

The evidence helps counter fears that such taxes will necessarily disproportionately harm the poor