Tobacco taxation

Abstract

Lobbying low and middle-income countries to increase tobacco taxes has been suggested as a potential contender for a GiveWell top charity, based on studies showing the cost-effectiveness of tobacco taxation and the high disease burden attributable to tobacco use in low and middle-income countries. The article discusses the potential benefits and challenges of such an intervention, including the need for specialized lobbying skills, the difficulties of testing the effectiveness of lobbying campaigns, the risk of zero-sum competition with tobacco companies, and funding concerns. – AI-generated abstract.