Date
This article was first published by Topdirect.net on April 6, 2024
The Local Initiative for Integrated Development "ILDI" organized, from April 4 to 5 in Kinshasa, training to strengthen the capacities of young defenders of tobacco tax policies in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The objective is to create a generation of defenders of tobacco tax policies in the DRC.
The first training session took place via video conference on April 4. It was marked by 2 presentations, the first of which focused on international drug conventions and the second on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The first presentation was led by Emmanuel Kanyurhi, drug expert and South Kivu focal point. He revealed that the DRC has joined three international drug conventions. These are the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, and the Convention of Nations against illicit traffic in narcotics and psychotropic substances. “The objective of these conventions was to fight against drug use in the world,” he stressed.
The second speaker, Godefroid Mboyo, briefly explained the history of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its protocol aimed at eliminating illicit trade. He also addressed the themes of the fight against tobacco, including interference by the tobacco industry, illicit trade and taxation considered a major instrument in the fight against tobacco. Two major recommendations came out of this first training session. It was recommended that the State finance the National Program for the fight against drug addiction and toxic substances to enable it to fight against drug addiction in the prevention and care of patients. Secondly, it was suggested to the State to change the tax system on tobacco in the DRC.
Second day
The last training session was face-to-face and marked by constructive presentations. The first speaker addressed the theme relating to tobacco taxation: its importance on the economy and the lives of populations. The second speaker, for his part, presented on new generation Nicotine products. This presentation was given by the expert in polydrug addiction, Jacquemin MVILAMBI who cited and succinctly explained the new generation products, namely: chewing gum, Nicotine tablets, oral sprays, aerosols, single-use electronic cigarettes ( PUFFS), nicotine salt, multiple-use electronic cigarettes, e-liquid, SNUS, pouches and heated tobacco.
The other two interventions focused on the results of the study on the interference of the tobacco industry in the development and implementation of anti-tobacco policies in the DRC as well as the illicit tobacco trade. Here are the recommendations resulting from these 2 days of training: - the State must finance the PNLCT to fight against drug addiction in the prevention and care of patients, - the establishment of an excise tax model to effectively regulate tobacco products in the DRC., - the ratification of the protocol aimed at eliminating illicit trade in the DRC, - the participation of civil society in all anti-tobacco discussions, - monitoring the availability and regulation of products new generations entering the market, - Systematically collect data on new products using surveys.