In the 2014 document, Sustainable Funding Models for Tobacco Control: A Discussion Paper, by The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, sustainable funding is identified as crucial to curtailing the projected harms caused by tobacco use.
The Union proposed various funding options for countries implementing tobacco control policies with particular emphasis on Taxes from tobacco; Taxes on other ‘health-damaging goods such as alcohol; Treasury appropriation; Value added tax (VAT); Health/sickness or universal health cover insurance levy; Philanthropic donations; and Funds collected through penalties for violations of legislation, among others.
The body was categorical that any approach to create sustainable funding for tobacco control must complement and enhance government initiatives and strategies; and must also bring together government, non-government, and community sectors, among others, to work collaboratively in the fight against tobacco.
The body was categorical that any approach to create sustainable funding for tobacco control must complement and enhance government initiatives and strategies; and must also bring together government, non-government, and community sectors, among others, to work collaboratively in the fight against tobacco.
Experience in the last two decades of uptick in global tobacco control efforts has shown that in the absence of funding mechanisms tobacco control efforts will falter and unintentionally open the doors for the tobacco industry to open channels of interacting with agencies of government and public officials. Ultimately, the goal of the industry is to frustrate any form of regulation of the tobacco business.
