• Tobacconomics,
• SEATCA,
• the Philippines's Department of Finance, and
• ASH Thailand

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 average score in the ASEAN countries is only 1.75 points out of 5. There is significant opportunity for improvement across the region. The component scores from in the Scorecard show that countries are not performing well in any of the four components. The region is especially failing to reduce the affordability of cigarettes over time- the ASEAN average is only 0.56 points out of 5. Improved cigarette taxation will save many lives from tobacco-induced diseases, save substantial health care 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 the findings for ASEAN countries. Ms. Sophapan Ratanachena-McWhortor from SEATCA will introduce the new 2021 SEATCA Tobacco Tax Index. Ms. Rowena S. Sta. Clara from the Department of Finance in the Philippines will share the tobacco tax lessons learned in the Philippines. Dr. Prakit Vathesatogkit from ASH Thailand will highlight the challenges faced in Thailand. The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Jeffrey Drope from Tobacconomics.

View the ASEAN policy brief here