Overview:​

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• The contribution of tobacco excise taxes to total excise revenues creates a dilemma for the government, as they would lose an important source of tax revenues should it pursue the goals of dramatically reducing tobacco consumption that negatively impact public health.

• A significant increase in underage smoking reveals serious enforcement problems in the control of cigarette sales.

• In 2019, tobacco-related expenses were the second largest contributor to poverty after rice expenditures

• Evaluations of existing programs should inspire coordinated activities in a National Tobacco Road Map that needs to replace existing and often-times contradictory policies from various ministries