DILI, 10 november 2022 (TATOLI) – The National Alliance for Tobacco Control in Timor-Leste (NATC-TL) is calling on the Ministry of Health to create a National Council for Tobacco Control, involving representatives from all ministries to combat the importation of illicit cigarettes in Timor-Leste.
The Executive Director of the NATC-TL, Sancho Fernandes said that last year he submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister for the establishment of the council.
“Prime Minister has already sent an order to the Ministry of Health, so we need to speed up the creation of the council so that it can implement the Tobacco Control Regime,” he told Tatoli in Bairo Pite, Dili.
He said that if tobacco taxes are increased from US$50 to US$100 per kilogram, the Government should strengthen the control of the importation of illicit cigarettes into the country.
“Importation of illegal cigarettes undermines tax collection for domestic revenue. The Government should prevent it and continue to strengthen tobacco control legislations, including banning the sale of loose cigarettes,” he informed.
According to a study by NATC-TL, about 95% of cigarettes are sold loose and cost only 25 cents.
Fernandes was disappointed with the government for not having a strategic plan for tobacco control or a budget for awareness campaigns to combat non-communicable diseases.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia Borges
