Dikgosi propose stiffer tobacco levy

Dikgosi say the tobacco levy should be raised to the level of the alcohol levy as both products have the same impact on public health. The traditional leaders aired these views yesterday at a meeting with anti-tobacco lobby group, Anti-Tobacco Network (ATN).

The meeting was meant to brief the traditional leadership on the tobacco control situation and its negative economic, health and environmental consequences. Kgosi Seate Marumo of Kanye region suggested that the tobacco levy, which currently stands at 30%, should be hiked to the match the alcohol levy’s 55%.