WHO Representative in Oman Dr Akjemal Magtymova23 January 2019 – Oman is hosting a WHO regional workshop on implementing tobacco taxes in countries of WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region from 21 to 23 January.
The objectives of the workshop are to:
- analyse the status of taxation in each country;
- familiarize participants with WHO recommendations in the area of tobacco taxes;
- introduce the use of the WHO tool to measure taxation;
- increase participants' knowledge of best practices and share country experiences;
- discuss and agree on ways forward to implement national tobacco taxation policies.
Tobacco taxation is a highly effective policy for successful tobacco control as it raises revenue while decreasing the use of tobacco. Research has shown that a 10% increase in the price of tobacco products leads to a 5% decrease in consumption of tobacco products in low-income countries and a 4% decrease in the consumption of tobacco products in high-income countries.
His Excellency Eng. Mohsin Al-Shaikh, Minister Of the Muscat Municipality, H.E. Dr Ahmed Obaid Al-Saidi, Minister of Health, WHO Representative Dr Akjemal Magtymova, and Mr Sulaiman S. Al-Dakheel, Director-General, Gulf Health Council were present at the inaugural session of the meeting.
The workshop is being attended by representatives of 17 countries of the Region, in addition to 7 international consultants with knowledge of tobacco taxation in the Region through their research and work with WHO.
The workshop comprises presentations, working groups and country-specific meetings.
