Expert considers tobacco excise too low

Photo: Sander Ilvest

Kristina Mauer-Stender, an Estonian, is doing anti-tobacco work at World Health Organisation. For some days, she is in Estonia, all the way from WHO European headquarters in Copenhagen. 

«Looking at what is going on in Europe, smoking cigarettes is clearly 20th century,» said Ms Mauer-Stender. «Especially when one looks at the youth in various nations. Education does matter, of course, With the highly educated, Estonia included, the tendency is clearly towards smoking less. The problem obviously is with the less educated, the potential jobless, the economically fragile.»

-What do we offer then instead? Life is hard, now we take their tobacco...

I hear that argument often, that this is their last chance and joy in life. But the money could be used on something else.  

-The argument doesn’t really carry, does it?

I think it does, In England, they did some tests so to speak. Like suggesting the female prisoners continue to buy cigarettes for their money or opt for other things like lingerie etc. Some prisons have turned basically non-smoking.

-In Estonia, there have been discussions about banning smoking in prisons. That clever?

I think it is more important to begin with children and the young, preventively. That will bring more results, By the way, there are good news regarding Estonia.

-What would that be?

While in 2012, 26 percent of adults smoked, by 2014 it was down to 22 percent. This is the first time we see a downward trend. I think this is because of the non-smoking public places created. But do not rest on laurels, in several nations in Europe we may basically say they are free from tobacco. Like Ireland.

-In what sense is Ireland tobacco free?

Globally, it is defined that a nation is tobacco free when 5 percent or less are smoking. Politically, Ireland has decided to be like that by 2015.

-How many Irish smoke then?

16–17 percent. Used to be 40–46 percent. Also, starting May 20th, plain packages with ugly pictures are used in Ireland, France and England. Starting next year, that will be all they sell.

At the moment, Norway, Hungary, Slovenia, Singapore and Brazil are working at it. Estonia might consider this, the Australian example says it works.

-Finland wants to come to zero as well?

Yes, their deadline is at 2040. Some in Finland think they will make it by 2030. At the moment, they are at 16–18 percent smokers.

-What’s your main advice for Estonia?

Last year, you did not raise excise at all, this year it rses 8–10 percent. But the average income is slowly but steadily climbing. Meanwhile, due to teh low excise, cigarettes are getting cheaper – speaking about purchansing power. Talking about budget, potential added revenues, I think high taxes and the resulting high prices are a win-win.