Steep hike in tobacco prices on the cards

With the Ministry of Health (MoH) giving its nod to the introduction of domestic tax levied by the Municipalities, the prices of tobacco and its products may see an unprecedented hike in Oman. The proposal awaits the clearance of Ministry of Finance, the final authority on the matter. Dr Jawad Al Lawati, Director of the Department of Non-communicable Diseases Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, said the prices of tobacco products might go up by between 75 and 100 per cent if the Ministry of Finance clears the proposal.

"We hope that this may happen anytime this year,- he told Times of Oman. Oman being a signatory to Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the proposal for hike in taxes on tobacco products was formulated a long time ago. The average cost of a pack of cigarettes at a supermarket is around 800 baizas on which 400 baizas is tax. "Now, the tax component on a pack may reach 200 per cent. A person may have to shell out RO1.6 for a pack after the hike,- he said. However, even after the anticipated rise, the prices will be considerably lower compared to the UK and the US where a packet of cigarettes costs around RO4.

 "This move is aimed at deterring schoolchildren from buying cigarettes,- he said, while adding that children as young as 13 smoke in Oman after school hours or during weekends. "Latest study shows that around four per cent of Omani school students start smoking from the age of 13,- Dr Lawati pointed out. Apart from doubling the prices of tobacco products, some parents have suggested that the government should post signboards about health hazards in areas where youngsters hang around for smoking. "Such a comprehensive nationwide campaign targeting youngsters will send a clear message about the hazards of smoking,- said a parent. Taxes on tobacco were hiked in Oman in 1999.

"Though the prices of cigarettes went up by 50 per cent, there was no increase in taxes on them,- a MoH official said. Figures from the authority suggest that 14 per cent of Omani are addicted to smoking. When contacted, some residents and citizens said the price increase would definitely make a bigger hole in their pockets. "Though we will cut down on our daily quota, it would be difficult for us to kick the habit,- said S Kumar, an Indian expatriate. "It's nice that this move is aimed at schoolchildren and those having lower incomes,- he added.

 Meanwhile, health experts said that the price increase is an important part of the campaign against tobacco use. Smoking causes heart diseases and is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Interestingly, the ban on smoking in private places was introduced in Oman on April 1, 2010 with the restrictions being first imposed by Muscat Municipality, followed by the Salalah Municipality. After a few months, the ban was effectively implemented by all the regional municipalities in the country.