National Association of Cancer Control,
Caucasian Union Against Cancer,
Health Promotion Alliance

Vasil Tkeshelashvili, Levan Bakanidze, Revaz Tataradze:

Acceptance of taxes on tobacco related diseases and early death risk due to FCTC (Conception)

The Tobacco Control efficiency in Caucasian region is possible to be raised due to participation of wide range of society in face of NGOs. Conduction of their activities is impossible without the funding.

On the example of Georgia, NGOs Alliance is going to carry out the advocacy measures for inclusion of issues on new sources of funding in Georgian Legislation of Tobacco Control. This is based on Conception: On Accepting the Taxes on Tobacco Related Diseases, Disability and Early Death Risk. We think that, by the liberal 1% tax on tobacco related diseases, disability and early death risk, the Tax system reform (without the change of tobacco product realization price) would create the new source of funding for conduction of epidemiological control and prevention measures by the NGOs. Annually, this new funding source could make available for prevention programs 5,000,000- 10,000,000 US $ in Georgia and billions in the world.

In order of Tobacco Control National Legislation lobbying in Caucasian region, like in other regions and member states, the Conference could provide the recommendation to FCTC organization group the mentioned issue to be included in FCTC.