In fact, the study showed that certain groups of people were likely to spend more money on smoking than on other more important needs. What this means is that economy cigarette brands such as Rooster and Rocket will cost less than premium brands like Dunhill and Embassy and mid-priced brands like Sportsman, Sweet Menthol, Super Match and Safari. This move was to cushion local cigarette manufacturers and in turn spur growth in sale of cheaper cigarette brands whose demand had gone down due to high taxation. It also recommends a uniform tax structure for all tobacco products, equal treatment of all tobacco product brands and elimination of pro-poor policies that keep some cigarette brands within reach of low-income earners. ****THE NUMBERSAbout 1 million cancer deaths per year globally are due to tobacco smoking.

Source: Daily Nation May 29, 2017 16:52 UTC