The first edition of the Tobacconomics Cigarette Tax Scorecard, released in December of 2020, grades countries' cigarette tax policies on a five-point scale, using the four key components of absolute price, changes in affordability, tax share of price and tax structure.

The Caribbean is performing below the global average, and while there is variation across the region, there are opportunities for improvement in nearly every country for each of the components of tobacco tax best practices highlighted in the Scorecard. Improved cigarette taxation will save many lives from tobacco-induced diseases, save substantial healthcare costs, and increase productivity. Increased tobacco taxes will also raise additional revenues, which can be allocated to health and development, perhaps especially during and after the difficult COVID-19 crisis.  

Dr. Frank Chaloupka, the lead author of the Scorecard, will present findings from these countries during the webinar. Mr. Maxime Roche from PAHO will provide a regional overview of tobacco taxation. Dr. Abdullahi Abdulkadri Economic Commission on Latin America and the Caribbean’s Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean will reflect on these findings from the perspective of development.


A regional policy brief will be available soon.