Study Places Nepal Among Countries Facing Moderate Tobacco Industry Influence

Nepal has been placed among countries facing a moderate level of tobacco industry influence, according to a global study that assesses how tobacco companies interfere with public policy and the enforcement of tobacco control laws.

The finding comes from the Tobacco Industry Interference Index released on Sunday by the Health Rights and Tobacco Control Network Nepal. Speaking at the report launch, chairperson of the network, Shantalal Mulmi, said weak and indifferent enforcement of tobacco control laws by government agencies in Nepal appears to be indirectly influenced by inducements from the tobacco industry.

A study conducted by Global Governance on Tobacco Control across 100 countries ranked Nepal 14th with a score of 43, placing it among countries facing a moderate level of tobacco industry interference. Brunei was listed among countries with minimal or no such interference, while the Dominican Republic, Switzerland and the United States ranked as the countries with the highest level of tobacco industry interference.

Mulmi said the study found that tobacco companies often evade accountability by failing to disclose spending related to production, revenue and marketing. He added that the lack of systematic monitoring of tobacco sales and distribution by the Inland Revenue Department, along with Nepal having the lowest tobacco tax among South Asian countries, indicates pressure and influence exerted by the tobacco industry.

The report states that direct and indirect interference by tobacco companies has hindered effective regulation and control of tobacco products. It also notes that only a few local governments, out of Nepal’s 753 local units, have taken notable action to control tobacco use.

Director of the National Health Education, Information and Communication Centre, Dr Radhika Thapaliya, said curbing tobacco industry interference requires collective effort. She warned that the industry is increasingly targeting young people through products such as ‘vapes and hookahs’, stressing the need for stronger action at the local level to restrict the sale and distribution of tobacco products. -- RSS