WHO lists Kenya among countries below tobacco tax target

Kenya has been named among 20 countries that have either never reached or have fallen below the recommended tobacco tax levels, missing out on a key chance to reduce smoking, protect public health, and increase funds for healthcare.

A report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that as of 2024, Kenya’s tobacco tax share stands between 70 and 74 per cent of the retail price of cigarettes.

This places the country just below the WHO’s best-practice level of 75 per cent, which is seen as one of the most effective tools for tobacco control.

“Of the 20 countries that have not maintained their previous achievement of a best-practice tax share, six are mentioned above as having a tax share between 70 per cent and 74 per cent in 2024. Kenya [is] among them,” the report stated.

Other countries in this group include Australia, Colombia, Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Morocco, Sri Lanka, and South Sudan.

These countries are either yet to reach or have dropped below the 75 per cent benchmark, which aligns with health and financial goals in reducing tobacco use and lowering healthcare costs.

In contrast, some countries have made progress. Belarus increased its tobacco tax from 56.6 per cent in 2022 to 76.9 per cent in 2024, joining others like Indonesia and Palau in achieving the best-practice tax level.

According to the report, 1.2 billion people around the world now live in countries that have adopted this level of tobacco taxation.

This includes 128 million people across 24 of the world’s largest cities. No Kenyan city is part of this list.

The WHO considers a 75 per cent tax share a key step in discouraging smoking, preventing disease, and unlocking more resources for health systems. Kenya remains within five percentage points of this target.

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