In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the director in charge of other excise products at the General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA), Joseph Kuburanwale, has indicated that the tax rate on tobacco products will drop from 40 to 60%.
DISCOURAGE EXPORTERS AND CONSUMERS OF TOBACCO
The director in charge of other excise products at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGDA), Joseph Kuburanwale, indicated that the tax rate on tobacco products will drop from 40 to 60%, during his speech on Friday, at the consultative forum on tobacco taxation in the DRC organized in Kinshasa by the Local Initiative for Integrated Development (ILDI ).
The increase in the tax rate falls within the framework of the new excise code, he said before explaining the reasons which led to this decision. It is about taking into account the option of the actors of the civil society, requesting a strong taxation of tobacco in order to discourage tobacco exporters and consumers in the DRC. He indicated that August 1, 2018 was retained as the date of entry into force of this new excise code.
Apart from the increase in the tax rate, the new excise code also provides for the possibility of imposing a special excise duty on tobacco products, the possibility of introducing tax signs to be affixed to 20 cigarette packages. and other special provisions to reduce and discourage tobacco use in the DRC.
ANTI-TOBACCO LEGISLATION WITH WEAKNESSES!
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Congolese Alliance Against Drug Addiction (ACCT), Patrick Shamba, for its part noted the weaknesses at the national level with regard to anti-tobacco legislation. For him, the DRC has so far only administrative measures prohibiting the consumption of tobacco which, moreover, " are still very weak ».
According to experts attending the meeting, smoking is one of the world's most serious public health threats. Because, it kills up to 7 million people each year and more than 6 million of them are consumers or former consumers and about 890.000 non-smokers involuntarily exposed to the smoke.
During the discussions, the various speakers dwelt on the need to eradicate tobacco consumption, because it is at the root of several abuses in society. The DRC is party to the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention for the fight against tobacco through its ratification in 2005. Faced with this worrying situation, the DRC has developed mechanisms that can cope with the threat.
The establishment of a tripartite government comprising the National Program against Addictions and Toxic Substances (PNLCT), WHO and Civil Society through the ACCT is a strong and decisive signal to federate energies for a better response, says one.
Source : Digitalcongo.net/
