An exploration of stakeholder views and perceptions on taxing tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages in Ghana

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21879342
AutoresArti Singh (0000-0002-7460-0119, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, autor de correspondencia), Katherine E Smith (0000-0002-1060-4102, University of Strathclyde), Katherine Smith (0000-0001-7471-0708, University of Strathclyde), Mark Hellowell (0000-0003-3474-2080, University of Edinburgh), Divine D Logo (0000-0001-7742-933X, Ghana Health Service), Rainer Martens (0000-0002-2416-2309, Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research), Kaung Suu Lwin (0000-0002-0368-7018, Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research), Ellis Owusu-Dabo (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology), Ellis Owusu‐Dabo (0000-0003-4232-4292, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology)
Año2023
Volumen8
NúmeroSuppl 8
Páginase012054
Fecha de publicación2023-05-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaBMJ Global Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908
EditorialBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012054
PMID37257939
OpenAlexW4378901995
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas4
Referencias citadas38

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for nearly 43% of Ghana's all-cause mortality. Unhealthy commodities (such as alcohol, sugar and tobacco) are an important factor in the growing NCD burden in the region of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite health taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) gaining renewed attention, adoption and implementation in SSA remain limited. This study aims to unpack the contextual politics and to examine current perceptions of opportunities and barriers for health taxes in Ghana. METHODS: Semistructured qualitative interviews (n=19) conducted with purposively sampled stakeholders representing four sectors: government, civil society, media and international organisations, and two group interviews with nine industry stakeholders, informed by a review of relevant literature and policy/advocacy documents. RESULTS: Stakeholders had a general belief that such taxes are primarily useful for revenue generation (for health spending) rather than for reducing consumption and improving health. There do appear to be opportunities for health taxes with stakeholders broadly supportive of taxing SSBs. This support could be strengthened via 'health' framing of any new tax proposals, the generation of Ghana-specific evidence about the potential impacts of such taxes and greater public awareness. Industry actors and some government representatives opposed health taxes, citing concerns about the potential to increase illicit trade and economic harm. Some stakeholders also believed that links between politicians and affected industries represent an important barrier. CONCLUSION: These findings identify opportunities to introduce health taxes but also underline the potential resistance from affected industry stakeholders. Nevertheless, a strategic approach that focuses on achieving policy coherence (between central government, health and economic ministries), combined with efforts to strengthen stakeholder and public support, may weaken the lobbying position of industry. Such efforts could be supported by research to help demonstrate the value of different designs of health taxes for achieving Ghana's health goals and to better understand industry-political links

Biology · Business · Environmental health · Perception · Political science · Population · Public relations · Stakeholder · Sugar · Tobacco use · Global Maternal and Child Health · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Medicine · Psychology · Smoking Behavior and Cessation · Food Science