Tobacco use in Latin America and the Caribbean brings social and economic costs that significantly outweigh the revenue raised from tobacco taxation.

While countries in the region have gradually, albeit partially, aligned tobacco tax policy with World Health Organization best practices, progress on tobacco excise tax reform has stagnated since 2012 and significant scope for improvement remains, according to a new report from the OECD to be published on Monday 28 October.

Tobacco Taxation in Latin America and the Caribbean includes detailed assessment of tobacco tax policy for 18 countries across the region and provides recommendations on how to improve tobacco tax policy and administration in the region.

The OECD will present the main findings of the report during a virtual seminar on Monday 28 October, starting at 16:30 EDT (20:30 GMT). Mauricio Cárdenas, former Minister of Finance of Colombia, and Patricia García, former Minister of Health of Peru, will provide opening remarks.

To register for the Zoom webinar, go here.

Journalists can request an advance copy of Tobacco Taxation in Latin America and the Caribbean, thereby undertaking to respect the OECD’s embargo procedures, by emailing embargo@oecd.org. Advance copies will be sent outon Friday 25 October 2024.

Analysis and data from Tobacco Taxation in Latin America and the Caribbean will be available at: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/tobacco-taxation-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean_080cd662-en.html from October 28.

Requests for interviews or further information should be sent by email to Lawrence Speer in the OECD Media Office (+33 1 45 24 97 00).

Working with over 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies to preserve individual liberty and improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.