WORLD TOBACCO NEWS IN BRIEF
Indonesia: The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) in Indonesia stated that 50% of the tobacco product excise revenue sharing fund will be allocated to support the social protection fund for farmers and workers in the tobacco industry. According to the KSP, the effort is necessary in order to help workers and farmers cope with the impact of the global economic uncertainty on Indonesia’s tobacco sector. The assistance will be offered in the form of fertilizer, machinery and cash. Notably, the Ministry of Finance requires 3% of the tobacco excise revenue to be allocated as a profit-sharing fund managed by the producing regional government.
Zimbabwe: The Zimbabwe government has put in
place modalities to ensure value addition for tobacco before export. During a
speech by Anxious Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural
Resettlement, it was reaffirmed that the government plans to reach its USD 5 billion
tobacco industry goal by 2025 through beneficiation of the crop. The Ministry
shared that exporting the vast majority of tobacco in raw form leads to export
of jobs and value. As a result, only a fraction of the final income stays in
Zimbabwe. As a reference, in 2022, Zimbabwe earned from tobacco USD 650
million, up from USD 589 million in 2021.
Zimbabwe’s
Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) cancelled Leanrise Tobacco’s buying license
after finding the company guilty of side marketing. According to the TIMB,
Leanrise illegally leased its license to Munyasha Tobacco. Leanrise denied the
accusations and accused the regulator of misinterpreting the law. The company
further defended itself saying it is entitled to have agents who use their license
to advance their business.
Portugal: Starting in January 2023, smoking
in Portugal is only allowed in restaurants, bars and clubs with an area equal
to or greater than 100 square metres and a minimum ceiling height of three
metres. The ordinance also dictates rules regarding spaces intended for
smokers, which “can be constituted up to a maximum of 20% of the area intended
for customers”. New measures against tobacco will be introduced in Italy to
address the prevention and fight against smoking. The government wants to
achieve the European Cancer Plan’s goal of creating a “tobacco-free
generation”. The ban on smoking in open air places in the presence of minors
and pregnant women will be extended, and smoking rooms in closed premises will
no longer be allowed. E-cigarettes and heated tobacco are included in the
restrictions.
Source: ITGA crop Monitor, February.
Comments
Post a Comment