The Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care has lobbied for the creation of “sin tax” on tobacco and alcohol to fund treatment of non-communicable diseases caused by the consumption of the products.
A sin tax is an excise tax specifically levied on certain goods deemed harmful to society and individuals, such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, candies, soft drinks, fast foods, coffee, sugar, gambling, and pornography.
In its report to Parliament during debate of the 2023 national budget, the Committee said a tax on tobacco and alcohol would provide funding for the treatment of diseases linked to the consumption of the two among others.
Government should enact a tobacco levy and carbon tax to partly fund the treatment of non-communicable diseases. The increase in non-communicable and respiratory diseases emanating from smoking and carbon emissions justifies introduction of this levy,” reads part of the report.
“Introducing tax on manufactured and retail foods that cause obesity. Such fund will go towards investigations of diabetes; arthritis and dental disease that emanate from the consumption of such foods. A tax on beer and alcohol substance manufacturers should also be introduced as consumption of these has mental health implications. Allocate the collected funds towards operations or rehabilitation and detoxing centres.”
Parliament is currently debating the $4,5 trillion budget presented by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube last month.
There has been an increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases like hyper-tension, cancer and diabetes linked to consumption of alcohol, tobacco and fast foods.
