Workshop on improving the use of taxation policy to tackle NDC crisis in Tonga Featured
Acting Minister for Finance and National Planning & Minister for Revenue and Customs, Hon. Mateni Tapueluelu with the participating members of the one-day stakeholders consultation workshop, Tanoa International Hotel
4 September, 2018. The Acting Minister for Finance and National Planning and Minister for Revenue and Customs, Hon. Mateni Tapueluelu opened a one-day stakeholders consultation workshop on ‘Improving the use of taxation policy on tobacco, alcohol, food and beverages as a response to the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) crisis in Tonga’, yesterday 3 September at Tanoa International Hotel.
Hon. Tapueluelu said various programmes and projects have been initiated to address non-communicable diseases.
“Since the last United Nations High Level Meeting in New York City in September 2011, Tonga is one of the few Pacific Island countries that have implemented various programme in the recent past to curb the rising tide of NCD burden in the Pacific.”
“Amongst interventions, Tonga has used taxation policy on sin taxes such as taxes on tobacco, unhealthy food and alcohol to influence consumer choice and behavior. In 2013, policies were implemented on food products, tobacco and alcohol. Since then, the Government of Tonga has added further taxation policies through amendments to the current national tariff schedule.”
He said that it is important to monitor the implementation, outcome and impact these interventions have, which will assist policymakers make well informed decisions on the way forward to improve the health of all Tongans.
“The Ministry of Finance and National Planning in November 2016, therefore formally requested the World Bank to conduct an assessment on these specific taxation policies and the World Bank team will share the findings from the assessment at this workshop. In a brief consultation with Dr. Sutayut Osorn – prasop from the World Bank – the summary of findings is very interesting and I look forward to this being shared with you today.”
“It is important to note that the objective of the workshop is not only to share findings and recommendations of the NCD taxation policy assessment with key stakeholders, but also to solicit their feedback before finalizing the report and dissemination. The workshop will also provide stakeholders the opportunity to discuss the findings and recommendations during group work and consider implications to improve future policy implementation.
He urged participants from the Community Organizations to share their views and opinions on the way forward, based on the information shared.
“We can say at the end of today, the strategic way forward was based on a collaborative consultation with relevant representatives and organizations. This multi-sectorial approach is in line with the Tonga National NCD Committee initiative and the National NCD Strategic Plan – the Hala Fononga 2015 -2020.”
The NCD taxation policy assessment was requested by the Government of Tonga and is led by the World Bank in collaboration with partners.
He acknowledged the support from the partners including Tonga Health Promotion Foundation, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Health Organization, Government of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as the Government of Tonga.
Participants include Dr. Sutayut Osornprasop and a team from World Bank, Cabinet ministers, Australian and New High Commissioner, Government CEOs and government officials.
-MEIDECC
1 comment
-
One could talk till one is red in the face about the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol but no one will take it seriously until one starts to cough and wheeze , by then it's too late . The fight to prevent the upsurge of death by non communicable diseases is a hard one . First of all people refuse to believe that tobacco and alcohol can harm ones health and does not want a reduction in the use of both , plus physical inactivity , unhealthy diet all contribute to heart and lung diseases , cancers and diabetes . The last two are the biggest killers . Taxes on soft drinks , alcohol and tobacco are a powerful response in the fight against obesity resulting in premature death and illnesses due to abuse of these products . It's unfortunate but due to lobbying of Government caucus by tobacco companies and donating money to find a cure for cancer but at the same time also donate funds to people in Government key positions who are willing to ignore the danger sign and just let the killing go on . How hypocritical can one be ? Tobacco companies spends millions on advertising its products than , turns around and give a pittance for cancer research . Being a couch potatoes in front of the idiot box is not health promoting either , drinking to access is another way of relaxing in the grave , and to top it all off EATING ! lip smacking , mouth watering , finger licking food one enjoy eating soooo much that one eats ones self to death . What a way to go . Yes increase tax on these products to decrease the death toll and health issue from its abuse . The important thing is to keep reminding the populace of the debilitating effect of the aforementioned products due to long term use and the burden to both Government and society as a whole . The people of the Pacific need to heed the warning and go back to the old way of life , people were healthier back than , they were smoking tobacco leaves which have not been steeped in chemicals , drank kava not alcohol and went to the bush and sweat it off , ate healthy food cooked in the umu drank coconut juice instead of fizzy drinks , Now days we drink too much , eat too mush unhealthy food , smoke like a chimney and very lazy . EARLY GRAVE ?