Health experts want joint action against tobacco

By Cecilia Kahubire

KAMPALA

The National Tobacco Control Committee has called for stronger multisectoral collaboration and improved tobacco taxation policies to address the growing health, economic and environmental impacts of tobacco use in Uganda.

The call was made during a meeting of the National Tobacco Control Committee, chaired by Dr. Aggrey Ngobi, at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including the Uganda National Health Consumers Organisation (UNHCO), the Uganda Cancer Institute, and technical officials from the Ministries of Health and Finance.

Dr. Ngobi emphasised the need to move beyond viewing tobacco primarily as a source of government revenue, noting that its wider costs include cancer treatment, healthcare expenditure and lost productivity.

He called for coordinated action across government institutions, with the Office of the Prime Minister playing a key role in ensuring effective policy implementation. The meeting also proposed the establishment of a multisectoral committee to coordinate interventions aimed at reducing tobacco consumption.

Presenting on the health and economic impacts of tobacco use, Jathro Alfred, a Public Health Researcher at the Uganda Cancer Institute, reported that tobacco use contributes to approximately 6,270 deaths annually in Uganda.

He noted that the economic burden of tobacco use, estimated at USD 126 million in direct and indirect costs, exceeds the approximately USD 81 million generated in tobacco tax revenue. He called for tax reforms, stronger enforcement, tobacco cessation programmes and support for farmers transitioning to alternative crops.

Meanwhile, Agaba Azizi, a Senior Programme Officer at UNHCO, presented findings from a tobacco excise tax impact study, which revealed that manufacturers often absorb tax increases rather than passing them on to consumers, thereby undermining taxation as a public health intervention. The study also highlighted the widespread sale of single cigarette sticks and significant variations in cigarette prices across brands.

The experts called for stronger monitoring of tobacco industry practices, improved enforcement against illicit trade and closer coordination among health, finance and revenue authorities. They further emphasised the need for sustained collaboration and evidence-based policy reforms to protect public health and reduce tobacco consumption.