Tobacconomics
The Tobacconomics Cigarette Tax Scorecard evaluates countries’ cigarette tax systems based on a five-point rating system that incorporates international guidance and best practices in tobacco taxation. The five-point index uses data from the World Health Organization to score countries on the following four components: cigarette price, changes in the affordability of cigarettes over time, the share of taxes in retail cigarette prices, and the structure of cigarette taxes. The total score reflects an averageof the four component scores. The Caribbean region is scoring below many other regions and the global average. Improving cigarette tax policies would decrease smoking prevalence, while raising additional tax revenues for governments.