Cracking Down on Smokers: Morocco Hikes Cigarette Prices Yet Again

Friday 22 December 2023 - 10:15

Moroccan smokers are set to experience a deeper dent in their wallets in the coming year as the government greenlights yet another increase in cigarette taxes. This move, embedded in the recently ratified 2024 budget, signifies the government's continued commitment to reducing smoking rates through fiscal measures.

Effective January 1st, 2023, the cost of a pack of cigarettes will see an incremental rise of 1 to 2 dirhams. Although this adjustment may appear modest, considering the average pack currently priced at around 35 dirhams, it builds upon a series of incremental increases witnessed over several budget cycles.

While advocates for public health commend initiatives aimed at making tobacco less affordable and accessible, critics express concerns that these tax hikes might inadvertently contribute to the flourishing black market for smuggled cigarettes. Ahmed Ali, a prominent campaigner, stated, "We're pricing the most vulnerable out of the legal market and pushing them towards underground sources instead of prevention programs."

Tobacco taxes remain a substantial source of revenue for state coffers, projected to reach 12.5 billion dirhams next year—an increase of 5.82% compared to 2022 estimates. However, studies indicate that past tax-driven price hikes have yielded limited success in sustaining long-term reductions in consumption rates or addressing the underlying social determinants of addiction.

As debates persist regarding alternative policy adjustments, such as reinforcing advertising bans, the effectiveness of the latest tax hike in achieving public health goals remains uncertain. It raises questions about whether these measures primarily serve budgetary interests rather than the intended health outcomes. One certainty prevails Morocco's smokers will find themselves reaching deeper into their pockets each year as the government maintains its fiscal crackdown on tobacco.