Ethiopian Parliament has passed landmark legislation in order to curb smoking in the country. Ethiopia has introduced a mixed-excise system on cigarettes in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). There is a 30% tax rate on the cost of cigarette production, besides a specific excise rate of eight Ethiopian Birr (ETB) (USD$ 0.25) on each individual packet.
"This ground-breaking new law will significantly reduce cigarette smoking among Ethiopians and save lives. It is a powerful example of how the government, civil society and WHO can work together to enact meaningful change,” said Dr Boureima Hama Sambo, WHO Representative for Ethiopia… (WHO/Africa, February 18, 2020). In our country too, our Government has increased price of cigarettes but Bidi and other forms of tobacco as zara, khani, snuff are sold openly in very less price and is easily available…
