Corne Van Walbeek
Biographic Data
| ID | 1724273 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Corne Van Walbeek |
| GIVEN NAMES | Corne |
| FAMILY NAME | Van Walbeek |
| SIGNATURE | VAN WALBEEK C |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Cape Town |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-0933-435X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 27 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 6 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 27 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2004 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
South Africa’s illicit cigarette crisis
The illicit cigarette trade in South Africa is rampant and driven mostly by non-multinational brands and informal retail channels. It threatens public health and causes significant tax revenue losses. The insights from this study can inform enforcement strategies
The effect of cigarette prices on smoking cessation in South Africa using duration analysis
Evaluating the financial case for investing in, or divesting from, tobacco investments
Tobacco companies have experienced deteriorating financial performance since 2016, amidst ever-escalating regulation. It remains unclear whether the growth in novel products will be rapid enough to mitigate the decline in cigarette sales. This uncertainty poses heightened risks for investors, and there is a real possibility of continued poor stock performance
Interactions between ENDS and cigarette use
The typology reveals a multifaceted relationship between ENDS and cigarette use in South Africa. Policy interventions should aim to minimise on-ramping and maximise off-ramping. Given the high prevalence of continued dual use and failed off-ramping, targeted cessation support should be provided for people who use ENDS and are trying to quit cigarettes
A Media Analysis of the Covid-19 Tobacco Sales Ban in South Africa
The South African government introduced a nationwide lockdown in March 2020 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Among other restrictions, the government banned the sale of tobacco products. The ban lasted for nearly five months. We performed a Google search using the keywords smok*, puff*, lockdown, tobacco, and cigarette* for articles published in English from 23 March 2020 to 18 December 2020. This yielded 441 usable online media articles. We i…
How much to pay for a track and trace system
The break-even simulation model provides a practical tool for the government to plan the implementation of T&T and to set up an evaluation criteria for the T&T tender process. The simulations illustrate that implementing T&T in South Africa would both reduce consumption (licit and illicit) and generate additional revenue. With some modifications, the model can be applied to other countries as well
Cigarette excise tax structure and cigarette prices in nine sub-Saharan African countries
Regional tax directives that require the adoption of uniform specific excise taxes, or high minimum specific floors, could be an efficient way to get multiple African countries to adopt a tax structure that reduces substitution possibilities in response to excise tax increases
The temporary ban on tobacco sales in South Africa
The demand-side preconditions for an effective sales ban were not in place in South Africa, making a sales ban inappropriate. The South African experience suggests that supply-side factors are also important in ensuring the success of a sales ban. These are: (1) the illicit market must be under control before implementing a sales ban; and (2) an effective sales ban needs to be synchronised with a ban on the manufacture, transport and distribution…
The illicit cigarette market in six South African townships
The illicit cigarette trade in South African townships is widespread. The government should implement an independent track and trace system to curb tax evasion. This would reduce the availability of illicit cigarettes, improve public health and increase excise tax collection
Measuring the effects of the new Ecowas and Waemu tobacco excise tax directives
The 2017 ECOWAS Directive, which adds a specific excise tax per pack, along with an increase in the ad valorem tax, substantially improves its members' cigarette tax structure. The specific tax overcomes the weakness of the ad valorem excise tax, since it does not depend on import or ex-factory values, which comprise only a small part of the retail price in ECOWAS countries. We recommend that WAEMU countries adopt the ECOWAS Directive, rather tha…
Tobacco farming and current debt status among smallholder farmers in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe
There is no evidence to suggest that tobacco growing, in its current state, has benefited the tobacco farmers in Manicaland province. Tobacco farmers are largely victims, rather than beneficiaries, of the sector. There is a strong case for government intervention to improve the conditions of tobacco farmers, either through direct intervention in the tobacco-growing sector, or by encouraging and promoting crop substitution
The effect of tobacco- and alcohol-control policies on household spending patterns in Kenya
Tobacco industry tactics in response to cigarette excise tax increases in Mauritius
Through its pricing strategy, BAT has greatly undermined Mauritius's tobacco control policy. However, BAT cannot continue undershifting the excise tax on economy brands, since the net-of-tax proportion of the retail price is very low already. BAT would have little choice but to increase the retail price on economy brands in response to future excise tax increases. The government of Mauritius is encouraged to keep the specific excise tax structure…
Illicit cigarette trade in South Africa
The current levels of illicit trade are extremely high and need to be addressed urgently by implementing effective control mechanisms such as a track and trace system to monitor the production, taxation, and sale of cigarettes
Sugar-based beverage taxes and beverage prices
Analysis of Article 6 (tax and price measures to reduce the demand for tobacco products) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
While there has been some improvement in tobacco tax policy over time, parties should adopt stronger tax measures, despite industry opposition and threats about illicit trade. Parties should implement FCTC Article 5.3 and ratify the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products
The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Its Impact on a Child’s Classroom Performance
Alcohol consumption is high among farm labourers in the Western and Northern Cape of South Africa. Excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy is common, resulting in a high prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) among children. FAS causes intellectual and behavioural problems, which create considerable obstacles to a child's education. The aim of this study is to provide a prevalence estimate of FAS in a rural school and to examine the ef…
Lifestyle and Income-related Inequality in Health in South Africa
This study provides evidence that inequalities in both self-reported and lifestyle-related ill-health are highly prevalent within smokers and the poor. These inequalities need to be explicitly addressed in future programme planning to reduce health inequalities in South Africa. We suggest that policies that can influence poor individuals to reduce tobacco consumption and harmful alcohol use will improve their health and reduce health inequalities
The effect of excise tax increases on cigarette prices in South Africa
The degree of excise tax pass-through, and the magnitude of discretionary increases in cigarette prices, is significantly determined by the competitive environment in the cigarette market
Waterpipe and Cigarette Smoking among University Students in the Western Cape, South Africa
Waterpipe smoking in the Western Cape is widespread, but less than cigarette smoking. Because all tobacco products are harmful, the government has an obligation to impose appropriate regulatory measures to reduce waterpipe consumption
Evaluating South Africa's tobacco control policy using a synthetic control method
Significant public health dividends can be obtained by consistently increasing the real tax on cigarettes
Measuring changes in the illicit cigarette market using government revenue data
Other than in 2010, there is no evidence that illicit trade is significantly undermining government revenue. Claims that illicit trade has consistently increased over the past 15 years, and has continued its sharp increase since 2010, are not supported
Are the tobacco industry's claims about the size of the illicit cigarette market credible? The case of South Africa
The tobacco industry has adjusted previous estimates of the illicit trade share downwards to create the impression that illicit trade is high and rising. If previous estimates by the tobacco industry were incorrect the credibility of current estimates should be questioned
Tobacco control in Namibia
The fact that Namibia was able to pass fairly comprehensive tobacco control legislation with such meagre resources is commendable. The government must now implement the regulations that make the legislation effective. Tobacco control progress in low-income and middle-income nations can be encouraged through use of the media and improved staff and legal capacity within health ministries
A simulation model to predict the fiscal and public health impact of a change in cigarette excise taxes
This paper presents a simple web-based tool that allows policy makers and tobacco control advocates to estimate the likely consumption, fiscal and mortality impacts of a change in the cigarette excise tax. If a country wishes to reduce cigarette consumption by increasing the excise tax, a specific tax structure is better than an ad valorem tax structure
An international analysis of cigarette affordability
Cigarette affordability, more than just the price, determines cigarette consumption. While cigarettes have become more affordable in many developing countries, some developing countries (for example, South Africa, Poland, and Thailand) have implemented strong and effective tobacco control policies, and have been able to decrease cigarette consumption as a result
A simulation model to predict the fiscal and public health impact of a change in cigarette excise taxes
This paper presents a simple web-based tool that allows policy makers and tobacco control advocates to estimate the likely consumption, fiscal and mortality impacts of a change in the cigarette excise tax. If a country wishes to reduce cigarette consumption by increasing the excise tax, a specific tax structure is better than an ad valorem tax structure
Cigarette affordability trends
In international comparisons, cigarette prices should not only be viewed in monetary terms but also in terms of their affordability. Fast-growing countries face greater tobacco control challenges since rising incomes increase the affordability of cigarettes. The fact that cigarettes have become increasingly affordable in a majority of low-income and middle-income countries is a major tobacco control failure
Tobacco control in Namibia
The fact that Namibia was able to pass fairly comprehensive tobacco control legislation with such meagre resources is commendable. The government must now implement the regulations that make the legislation effective. Tobacco control progress in low-income and middle-income nations can be encouraged through use of the media and improved staff and legal capacity within health ministries
Measuring changes in the illicit cigarette market using government revenue data
Other than in 2010, there is no evidence that illicit trade is significantly undermining government revenue. Claims that illicit trade has consistently increased over the past 15 years, and has continued its sharp increase since 2010, are not supported
Are the tobacco industry's claims about the size of the illicit cigarette market credible? The case of South Africa
The tobacco industry has adjusted previous estimates of the illicit trade share downwards to create the impression that illicit trade is high and rising. If previous estimates by the tobacco industry were incorrect the credibility of current estimates should be questioned
Waterpipe and Cigarette Smoking among University Students in the Western Cape, South Africa
Waterpipe smoking in the Western Cape is widespread, but less than cigarette smoking. Because all tobacco products are harmful, the government has an obligation to impose appropriate regulatory measures to reduce waterpipe consumption
Evaluating South Africa's tobacco control policy using a synthetic control method
Significant public health dividends can be obtained by consistently increasing the real tax on cigarettes
The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Its Impact on a Child’s Classroom Performance
Alcohol consumption is high among farm labourers in the Western and Northern Cape of South Africa. Excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy is common, resulting in a high prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) among children. FAS causes intellectual and behavioural problems, which create considerable obstacles to a child's education. The aim of this study is to provide a prevalence estimate of FAS in a rural school and to examine the ef…
Lifestyle and Income-related Inequality in Health in South Africa
This study provides evidence that inequalities in both self-reported and lifestyle-related ill-health are highly prevalent within smokers and the poor. These inequalities need to be explicitly addressed in future programme planning to reduce health inequalities in South Africa. We suggest that policies that can influence poor individuals to reduce tobacco consumption and harmful alcohol use will improve their health and reduce health inequalities
The effect of excise tax increases on cigarette prices in South Africa
The degree of excise tax pass-through, and the magnitude of discretionary increases in cigarette prices, is significantly determined by the competitive environment in the cigarette market
Analysis of Article 6 (tax and price measures to reduce the demand for tobacco products) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
While there has been some improvement in tobacco tax policy over time, parties should adopt stronger tax measures, despite industry opposition and threats about illicit trade. Parties should implement FCTC Article 5.3 and ratify the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products
Tobacco industry tactics in response to cigarette excise tax increases in Mauritius
Through its pricing strategy, BAT has greatly undermined Mauritius's tobacco control policy. However, BAT cannot continue undershifting the excise tax on economy brands, since the net-of-tax proportion of the retail price is very low already. BAT would have little choice but to increase the retail price on economy brands in response to future excise tax increases. The government of Mauritius is encouraged to keep the specific excise tax structure…
Illicit cigarette trade in South Africa
The current levels of illicit trade are extremely high and need to be addressed urgently by implementing effective control mechanisms such as a track and trace system to monitor the production, taxation, and sale of cigarettes
Sugar-based beverage taxes and beverage prices
The illicit cigarette market in six South African townships
The illicit cigarette trade in South African townships is widespread. The government should implement an independent track and trace system to curb tax evasion. This would reduce the availability of illicit cigarettes, improve public health and increase excise tax collection
Measuring the effects of the new Ecowas and Waemu tobacco excise tax directives
The 2017 ECOWAS Directive, which adds a specific excise tax per pack, along with an increase in the ad valorem tax, substantially improves its members' cigarette tax structure. The specific tax overcomes the weakness of the ad valorem excise tax, since it does not depend on import or ex-factory values, which comprise only a small part of the retail price in ECOWAS countries. We recommend that WAEMU countries adopt the ECOWAS Directive, rather tha…
Tobacco farming and current debt status among smallholder farmers in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe
There is no evidence to suggest that tobacco growing, in its current state, has benefited the tobacco farmers in Manicaland province. Tobacco farmers are largely victims, rather than beneficiaries, of the sector. There is a strong case for government intervention to improve the conditions of tobacco farmers, either through direct intervention in the tobacco-growing sector, or by encouraging and promoting crop substitution
The effect of tobacco- and alcohol-control policies on household spending patterns in Kenya
The temporary ban on tobacco sales in South Africa
The demand-side preconditions for an effective sales ban were not in place in South Africa, making a sales ban inappropriate. The South African experience suggests that supply-side factors are also important in ensuring the success of a sales ban. These are: (1) the illicit market must be under control before implementing a sales ban; and (2) an effective sales ban needs to be synchronised with a ban on the manufacture, transport and distribution…
How much to pay for a track and trace system
The break-even simulation model provides a practical tool for the government to plan the implementation of T&T and to set up an evaluation criteria for the T&T tender process. The simulations illustrate that implementing T&T in South Africa would both reduce consumption (licit and illicit) and generate additional revenue. With some modifications, the model can be applied to other countries as well
Cigarette excise tax structure and cigarette prices in nine sub-Saharan African countries
Regional tax directives that require the adoption of uniform specific excise taxes, or high minimum specific floors, could be an efficient way to get multiple African countries to adopt a tax structure that reduces substitution possibilities in response to excise tax increases
A Media Analysis of the Covid-19 Tobacco Sales Ban in South Africa
The South African government introduced a nationwide lockdown in March 2020 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Among other restrictions, the government banned the sale of tobacco products. The ban lasted for nearly five months. We performed a Google search using the keywords smok*, puff*, lockdown, tobacco, and cigarette* for articles published in English from 23 March 2020 to 18 December 2020. This yielded 441 usable online media articles. We i…
Evaluating the financial case for investing in, or divesting from, tobacco investments
Tobacco companies have experienced deteriorating financial performance since 2016, amidst ever-escalating regulation. It remains unclear whether the growth in novel products will be rapid enough to mitigate the decline in cigarette sales. This uncertainty poses heightened risks for investors, and there is a real possibility of continued poor stock performance
Interactions between ENDS and cigarette use
The typology reveals a multifaceted relationship between ENDS and cigarette use in South Africa. Policy interventions should aim to minimise on-ramping and maximise off-ramping. Given the high prevalence of continued dual use and failed off-ramping, targeted cessation support should be provided for people who use ENDS and are trying to quit cigarettes
Business (18 works) · Medicine (18 works) · Economics (15 works) · Smoking Behavior and Cessation (14 works) · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology (12 works) · Public health (11 works) · Tobacco control (10 works) · Consumption (sociology (9 works) · Environmental health (9 works) · Excise (9 works)