This week I had the opportunity to participate in the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Integrating Gender Considerations into Tobacco and Health Taxation Policies, organized by the National Taxpayers Association (NTA). The dialogue brought together stakeholders to examine an issue that deserves greater attention in tobacco control: how gender considerations can be meaningfully integrated into tobacco and health taxation policies.
Tobacco Taxation Is Both a Health and Fiscal Intervention
Tobacco taxation is widely recognized as one of the most effective public health interventions for reducing tobacco consumption. At the same time, tobacco taxes can contribute to domestic resource mobilisation, including resources that can support health services.
However, the effectiveness and equity of taxation policies depend on how well they respond to the realities of the populations they are intended to protect.
Tobacco use does not affect women, men, boys and girls in exactly the same way. Patterns of consumption, exposure, social influences and vulnerability can differ across population groups. Consequently, tobacco control and taxation policies should take these differences into consideration.
This is why integrating a gender perspective into tobacco and health taxation is important.
Understanding the Gender Dimensions of Tobacco Use
During the dialogue, participants were taken through evidence on the gender dimensions of tobacco use and health taxation. We also examined existing policy gaps and opportunities for strengthening the integration of gender considerations into tobacco and health taxation policies.
One of the key lessons for me was the importance of moving beyond broad population-level statistics. If we want taxation policies to achieve equitable health outcomes, we need to understand how different groups respond to tobacco prices, taxation measures and tobacco industry strategies.
This requires stronger evidence and research that can illuminate the different experiences of women, men, boys and girls.
Moving From Evidence to Policy Action
The most engaging part of the dialogue for me was the group discussion on specific changes that could be made to tobacco and health taxation policies.
Among the proposals discussed was the need for steeper increases in tobacco taxes, particularly as a mechanism for reducing consumption among vulnerable populations, including women and young people. We also discussed the importance of inflation adjustment, ensuring that the real value and public health impact of tobacco taxes are not gradually weakened by rising prices.
Another important proposal was the codification of tobacco taxation provisions within the Excise Duty Act. Strengthening the legislative foundation for tobacco taxation can contribute to greater policy consistency and sustainability.
These discussions demonstrated that taxation is not simply about determining how much tax should be imposed on a tobacco product. It is also about considering the public health objective of taxation and ensuring that the tax structure remains effective over time.
Everyone Has a Role
The dialogue also highlighted the different roles that stakeholders can play.
Government has an important responsibility in developing and implementing effective fiscal and public health policies. Civil society organizations can contribute through advocacy, public awareness, accountability and monitoring. Researchers have an equally important role in generating the evidence needed to guide policy decisions.
No single stakeholder can address the complexities of tobacco taxation alone.
Effective policy requires collaboration, but collaboration must remain grounded in independent evidence and the protection of public health.
We Need Better Data
We concluded the discussions by considering the types of data and research needed to strengthen this area of work.
This is particularly important when applying a gender lens. We need better evidence to understand differences in tobacco use patterns, price sensitivity, consumption and the effects of taxation across different population groups.
Without this evidence, policymakers risk designing policies based on assumptions rather than realities.
For me, one of the most important takeaways from the dialogue was therefore simple: if we want better tobacco taxation policies, we need better evidence to inform them.
The Road Ahead
Integrating gender considerations into tobacco and health taxation is an important step towards making tobacco control policies more equitable and responsive to the needs of different populations.
Kenya has an opportunity to strengthen its tobacco taxation framework by combining sound fiscal policy with public health evidence and a clear understanding of gender and population differences.
As a public health advocate working in tobacco control, I found the dialogue particularly valuable because it connected taxation, health equity, gender, research and policy advocacy in one conversation.
The goal should ultimately be clear: taxation policies that reduce tobacco consumption, protect populations from tobacco-related harm and contribute to stronger health outcomes.
Tobacco taxation is not only about revenue. It is about protecting health—and the policies we design must ensure that protection reaches everyone.
#TobaccoControl #TobaccoTaxation #HealthTaxes #GenderAndHealth #PublicHealth #NCDPrevention #FiscalPolicy #Kenya
ODUOR KEVIN 