A recent study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has shed light on the potential benefits of implementing higher taxes on cigarettes in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) to reduce child mortality rates. Published in The Lancet Public Health, the study titled “Cigarette taxation and socioeconomic inequalities in under-five mortality across 94 low- and middle-income countries” highlights the significant impact that such tax measures can have on improving the health outcomes of children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum tax of 75% on the retail price of cigarettes to deter smoking and its associated health risks. However, most countries fall short of meeting this recommendation, leading to preventable deaths among children. Lead researcher Márta Radó emphasizes that increasing cigarette taxes to WHO-recommended levels could potentially save the lives of over 280,000 children annually and help bridge the gap in child mortality rates between different socioeconomic groups in alignment with the UN’s sustainable development goals.
The study, which analyzed data from 94 LMICs between 2008 and 2020, found a strong correlation between higher cigarette taxes and reduced under-five mortality rates across all income groups. Specific excise duties emerged as the most effective tax measure in improving childhood survival and narrowing the disparities between the wealthiest and poorest populations. Lead author Olivia Bannon stresses the importance of implementing higher cigarette taxes as a crucial policy intervention to enhance children’s health globally, especially among the most vulnerable groups.
Despite the tobacco industry’s efforts to undermine tobacco control measures, the study underscores the urgent need for governments to overcome these obstacles and prioritize the implementation of higher taxes on tobacco products in LMICs. Collaboration with experts from Erasmus MC, McGill University, and Imperial College London has strengthened the research findings, providing compelling evidence for policymakers to take decisive action in promoting public health through effective taxation policies.
For more information on the study, readers can refer to the publication in The Lancet Public Health by Olivia S. Bannon et al. (DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(25)00065-9). The research was conducted in partnership with Karolinska Institutet and highlights the critical role of cigarette taxation in addressing socioeconomic inequalities in child mortality rates.
