Sin taxes, sacred duties: Redirecting India’s tobacco revenue

India, the world’s second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco, earns over ?70,000 crore annually from tobacco taxes, but faces over 1.35 million tobacco-related deaths each year. Despite generating 2.2% of fiscal revenue, less than 0.07% is allocated to tobacco control programs, while treatment costs far exceed tax receipts. The authors argue for legally mandating a fixed portion of tobacco tax revenue to fund de?addiction efforts, awareness campaigns, and healthcare infrastructure—aligning with the original intent of sin taxes. They highlight global models like Thailand and the Philippines as effective templates to reframe India’s tobacco taxation as public health investment.

Continue reading: https://www.siasat.com/sin-taxes-sacred-duties-redirecting-indias-tobacco-revenue-3230683/