Categories
· Tobacco Control
· Tax
non-USA, by Country
· Ukraine
|
Public health advocates accuse Yushchenko of doing tobacco industry's bidding.
Jump to full article: Kyiv Post (ua), 2009-11-12
Author: Nataliya Bugayova
Intro: Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko, citing concern for the tobacco industry and fears of cigarette smuggling, on Nov. 11 vetoed legislation that would have hiked the excise tax on tobacco products by 36 percent.
Public health advocates called a news conference on Nov. 12 to criticize Yushchenko and note that price increases are the most effective way to reduce smoking. Roughly a third of Ukraine's adults smoke, one of the highest rates in the world.
Tobacco-related illnesses prematurely kill some 300 Ukrainians daily, said former Health Minister Mykola Polischuk. "The president's veto contradicts his mottos about European integration," Polishchuk said. "Today all Europe is fighting for air uncontaminated with tobacco smoke."
Jump to full article » |