Mbankomo workshop explores fiscal solutions to curb tobacco use and fund public health
Mbankomo – For three days, policymakers, health officials, and civil society representatives gathered not to debate hospital construction or drug procurement, but to analyze tax structures and fiscal incentives. At the heart of their discussions was a critical question: how can Cameroon leverage tobacco taxation to save lives and secure sustainable health financing?
Tobacco remains a silent killer with staggering human and economic costs
The global tobacco epidemic has deeply affected Cameroon. With an adult smoking prevalence of 9% and over 10% among youth aged 13 to 15, the country faces a growing public health crisis. More than a third of the population—37%—is exposed to secondhand smoke, and tobacco use claims approximately 66,000 lives annually in the country.
Beyond mortality, tobacco use fuels a rise in cancers, cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and chronic respiratory conditions. It drains household budgets, overburdens healthcare systems, and strains the national economy. Yet, cigarettes remain shockingly affordable: in 2024, the most popular pack cost just $4.07 (PPP), well below both the African average ($5.06) and the global average ($6.98). Taxes accounted for only 36% of the retail price—far below the WHO-recommended threshold of 75%.
Tax increases: a proven strategy to reduce consumption and save lives
Government officials emphasized that raising tobacco taxes is one of the most effective tools to decrease consumption. Price sensitivity is particularly high among adolescents, making cost a powerful deterrent against youth initiation. A well-crafted tax policy doesn’t just prevent disease and disability—it saves lives decades into the future.
But the benefits extend beyond public health. Additional tax revenue can fund universal health coverage, strengthen non-communicable disease prevention programs, and expand essential health services. In short, evidence-based fiscal reform can deliver both health and economic gains.
Data-driven decisions: building a strong foundation for reform
Effective tobacco control begins with reliable data. During the workshop, participants analyzed Cameroon’s tobacco consumption patterns, economic burden, health impacts, current tax structures, market dynamics, and global best practices. Dr. William Maina, Senior Project Officer at WHO Africa, highlighted the broader health risks: tobacco contributes to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and chronic respiratory illnesses, while nicotine impairs brain development and fertility.
Common objections to tax hikes—such as fears of revenue loss, job cuts, or a surge in illicit trade—were critically examined. Experts clarified that these concerns are largely unfounded when reforms are implemented with proper monitoring and enforcement. Public policy must be guided by evidence, not perception.
Modeling the future: simulating tax increases and their impact
The highlight of the workshop was the presentation of WHO’s TaXSiM model, which simulates the health and fiscal outcomes of potential tax reforms. Using Cameroon-specific data, several scenarios were tested. The findings were clear: tax increases work.
Two progressive tax measures were modeled:
- A rise in the specific excise tax from 5,000 FCFA to 10,000 FCFA per 1,000 cigarettes in 2027
- A further increase to 15,000 FCFA per 1,000 cigarettes in 2028, applied uniformly to both imported and locally produced products
The results were transformative. Cigarette sales were projected to drop from 162.9 million packs in 2026 to 144.1 million in 2027 and 131.9 million in 2028—a cumulative reduction of 19%. The number of smokers would decrease by approximately 66,000, from 810,000 to 744,000 by 2028.
Revenue gains were equally impressive. Excise tax collections would rise from 15.2 billion FCFA in 2027 to 28.8 billion, reaching 38.3 billion in 2028. Total tax revenue would increase from 32.6 billion to 57.3 billion FCFA, generating nearly 25 billion FCFA in additional funds over the baseline scenario.
The data confirmed what experts have long argued: there is no trade-off between public health and economic development—smart taxation advances both.
Unlocking sustainable health financing through tobacco taxes
With international health funding declining, domestic resource mobilization is more vital than ever. The projected tax revenue from tobacco could support:
- Universal health coverage initiatives
- Programs for non-communicable disease prevention
- Smoking cessation services
- Strengthening of health infrastructure
- Health promotion activities
This fiscal strategy offers Cameroon a rare opportunity to simultaneously improve population health, reduce future disease-related costs, and build a resilient health financing system.
New threats: emerging nicotine products target Cameroon’s youth
Participants also sounded the alarm over the rapid rise of novel nicotine products. Disguised as pens, smartwatches, lipsticks, toys, candies, or chewing gum, these items are marketed directly to adolescents using sophisticated tactics. One shocking video showed a teenager using a vape pen hidden inside a smartwatch.
Health experts warned that these products are not harmless. They create addiction, expose users to toxic chemicals, and risk normalizing nicotine use among young people. Immediate regulatory and fiscal action is needed to prevent their entrenched market penetration in Cameroon.
Eight key recommendations to transform tobacco control
After three days of evidence-based deliberation, the workshop produced a comprehensive set of recommendations:
- Gradually increase the specific excise tax to 15,000 FCFA per 1,000 cigarettes by 2028
- Apply the tax uniformly to both imported and locally manufactured products
- Strengthen regional tax harmonization within CEMAC
- Establish a national technical working group on tobacco taxation
- Develop a permanent monitoring and evaluation system
- Improve the availability of fiscal and commercial data
- Accelerate the creation of a national tobacco control fund
- Implement a national traceability system for tobacco products
Participants also called for intensified public awareness campaigns—especially targeting youth—support for farmers transitioning to alternative crops, full implementation of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, and national systems to track tobacco products.
A unified vision for Cameroon’s future
Closing the workshop, Dr. Colette Taka Joro, Permanent Secretary of the National Committee for Drug Control, stressed the need for high-level dialogue with government, parliament, and all stakeholders to accelerate reform adoption and ensure ownership.
Dr. Hassan Ben Bachir, Director of Health Promotion at the Ministry of Public Health, summarized the workshop’s spirit: “Tobacco taxation is far more than a revenue tool—it is an investment in the health of our people. By protecting our youth from initiation and securing sustainable funding for our health system, we are investing in the future of Cameroon. The recommendations from this workshop provide a solid roadmap to turn scientific evidence into real public health gains for all.”
Participants left Mbankomo with a shared conviction: tobacco taxation is not just a fiscal issue—it is a prevention instrument, a youth protection mechanism, a tool for national resource mobilization, and a long-term investment in human capital. The data proves that stronger tobacco taxes can reduce consumption, save lives, ease the burden of non-communicable diseases, and generate critical revenue for national health priorities.
Every tax increase represents thousands of lives protected. Every evidence-based reform brings Cameroon closer to a future where fewer youth start smoking, families are shielded from tobacco’s devastating consequences, and the health system is equipped to meet the needs of its people. By positioning tobacco taxation as a strategic lever for public health and sustainable financing, Cameroon has the chance to safeguard the health of future generations today.
