GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to increase taxes on tobacco products, claiming that a 50 percent increase would save 11 million lives within three years.
In a statement, the WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said that raising taxes on tobacco is the most effective way to reduce their use and save lives. He said that a determined action on a tobacco tax policy will hit the industry where it hurts.
“By increasing tobacco taxes by 50 percent, all countries will reduce the number of smokers by 49 million within the next three years and will ultimately save 11 million lives,” the WHO estimates.
