NAIROBI, June 15, 2019 – Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich, increased excise duty for alcohol and cigarettes by 15% in new government tax measures. The excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes will increase by Kshs 8 making the new rate Kshs 61.
The move by the government of Kenya is in line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and Global best practices and will go along way in not only generating additional revenue, but also reduce affordability of tobacco products, prevent initiation, and encourage quitting of tobacco use. It will save many Kenyans a lifetime of addition, ill health and death!
There is tremendous support for the steps taken by the Hon. Minister. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey held in Kenya in 2014 showed that…
PRESS RELEASE ON THE TOBACCO TAX MEASURES IN THE 2019- 2020 BUDGET STATEMENT