Key findings

• Between 2014 and 2022, the average overall score globally increased from 1.89 out of 5 to 2.25, before dropping back down to 1.99 points.
• The average change in affordability score fell dramatically in all WHO regions, and cigarettes even became more affordable on average in Europe.
• Most governments maintain a less than optimal tax structure which minimizes the public health & tax revenue benefits of tax increases.
• Average cigarette prices generally decreased since 2020, especially in South-East Asia, although they increased slightly on average in low-income countries.
• Tax share of price score increased slightly, yet only 4 countries reach the minimum recommended level of total and excise tax share.

Key takeaway...

These are lost opportunities—most governments need to raise tobacco excise taxes to align with expert recommendations—to reap the proven and potentially enormous public health and fiscal benefits.