Nicaragua : Overview of Tobacco Use, Tobacco Control Legislation, and Taxation

World Bank Group

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: TOBACCO CONTROL;    LEGISLATION;    TOBACCO USE;    TOBACCO PRODUCTION;    CIGAR INDUSTRY;   

RP-ID  :  138078

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

This country brief provides an overviewof tobacco control legislation, use, and taxation in thecountry. This country brief provides an overview of tobaccocontrol legislation, use, and taxation in the country.Nicaragua became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention onTobacco Control in 2008 and was the first country in theworld which ratified the FCTC Protocol to Eliminate IllicitTrade in Tobacco Products. Data on smoking prevalence andtobacco consumption in Nicaragua are scarce, and it isdifficult to estimate recent tobacco consumption trendsamong adults. However, the decline in the prevalence ofcurrent smoking among GYTS participating adolescents from20.4 percent in 2003 to 13.8 percent in 2014 among boys andfrom 12.8 percent in 2003 to 10.3 percent in 2014 amonggirls may be considered an indicator of tobacco controlpolicy success. In 2009, Nicaragua switched from ad valoremto specific excise system for cigarettes. The specificexcise tax rates and cigarette prices increased in2012-2016. Available data demonstrate some decline incigarette sales in Nicaragua in 2013-2017, as cigarettesbecame less affordable after the price increase and thetaxation policy was beneficial for public health. Specificexcise rates in 2017 and 2018 were increased by only 5percent annually, and it was insufficient both for thereduction of tobacco affordability and for the increase ofthe government revenue. In February 2019, Nicaragua adoptedrather substantial cigarette excise hikes: by 210 percent in2019 and further by 25 percent in 2020 and 38 percent in2021. These tax hikes are able to reduce tobacco consumptionin the country and bring additional resources to thegovernment coffers. However, the tobacco industry willprobably try to distort positive results of the taxationreform. The government should be ready to counteract thesetactics using the experience of other countries andconducting careful and timely monitoring of indicators ofcigarette prices, supply, and sales. Tobacco usesurveillance and monitoring should be developed inNicaragua, including a regular collection of information onsmoking prevalence, tobacco consumption and various economic indicators.