Higher Tobacco Taxes For Better Health and Revenue Outcomes in Kosovo

This policy brief was produced by Democracy Plus in Kosovo and examines the impact higher taxes on tobacco products would have on health outcomes and government revenue. The research finds that higher taxes on tobacco products would reduce smoking prevalence, improve public health, and increase government revenue. The policy brief recommends increasing the specific excise tax on cigarettes for the year 2020 from EUR 47 to EUR 69.5 per 1000 sticks, which would result in 26.2 percent increase in government revenues and a decrease in cigarette consumption of 11.1 percent.