By Burnett Munthali
Health experts have expressed different views on the proposal made by some members of Parliament that Malawi should increase taxes on tobacco and alcohol so that the funds generated can be used to fight Tuberculosis (TB) and help those injured in road accidents.
Dr. Bridget Malewezi says the proposed taxes could supplement funding gaps for TB management left by the recent USA health aid freeze, adding that the funds can help maintain service delivery in HIV and other critical health programmes.
Concurring with Dr. Malewezi, Dr. Jane Mallewa said since smoking and excess alcohol put people at risk of road accidents when driving under intoxication, taxes from these commodities can specifically help those injured in road accidents.
Dr. Mallewa emphasized that the link between alcohol, tobacco, and road accidents makes the idea of taxing these substances an appropriate strategy to alleviate the financial burden on road accident victims.
However, Dr. Maureen Chirwa differs with the two, suggesting that making tobacco and alcohol more expensive may have less deterrent effect on users.
Dr. Chirwa pointed out that people tend to change to cheaper brands, which are often more dangerous if their regular brands become expensive overnight.
She explained that this could lead to an unintended increase in the use of more harmful alternatives, which could further exacerbate public health concerns.
Dr. Chirwa has suggested that instead of relying solely on taxes, people should be empowered with skills to cope with tobacco and alcohol addictions so that they can quit on their own accord.
She believes that addressing the root causes of addiction and providing support for individuals to make informed choices would be a more sustainable solution in the long run.
While the debate continues, it is clear that the proposal to increase taxes on tobacco and alcohol has sparked diverse opinions among health experts, each considering the potential impact on public health and the economy.
