Hisham Aljundi
Doha
IN an attempt to wean people off harmful and unhealthy substances, Qatar has increased the prices of tobacco products, cigarettes, energy drinks and carbonated beverages.
With effect from January 1, the prices of cigarettes and energy drinks were doubled while sugary drinks got dearer by 50 percent following introduction of "sin” tax.
The "sin” tax was introduced just weeks after Qatar announced in its annual budget that it would introduce a levy on "health-damaging goods” such as tobacco products, energy drinks and carbonated beverages. Selective Tax Law includes a 100 percent tax on tobacco and its products and energy drinks, and a 50 percent tax on sugary drinks.
Most of the people Qatar Tribune spoke to welcomed the move saying it will be helpful in curbing bad habits, some expressed their reservations over the sin tax.
"This decision will help people to get rid of bad and unhealthy habits such as smoking. Now, the rise in prices will make it harder for those who are just starting to smoke,” Mohammed Bayram, a Tunisian expatriate living in Doha, said.
"Those who can’t quit smoking will now start to look for other stuff,which may eventually lead them to quit this habit.”
Amer Darraoui, another resident, said, "I always wanted to quit smoking, but I needed a good start. Well, after hearing the news about this decision I have quit smoking.”
Many parents welcome the decision to impose tax on energy drinks.
Hakim Khelfa, a sportsman, said, "Going to the gym is a healthy habit but what is unhealthy was the heavy consumption of energy drinks, which adversely affect the people’s health in the long run. I used to see young people heavily consuming energy drinks especially while smoking. Now that their prices have gone up, I think the consumption will reduce significantly.”
Farah Nazih, a housewife, told Qatar Tribune that her husband was a chain smoker, but he decided to quit smoking after hearing this decision.
"He used to smoke a lot, but now he has managed to reduce smoking by half, which is reflected on his health. He is gradually quitting smoking,” she said.
Doha
IN an attempt to wean people off harmful and unhealthy substances, Qatar has increased the prices of tobacco products, cigarettes, energy drinks and carbonated beverages.
With effect from January 1, the prices of cigarettes and energy drinks were doubled while sugary drinks got dearer by 50 percent following introduction of "sin” tax.
The "sin” tax was introduced just weeks after Qatar announced in its annual budget that it would introduce a levy on "health-damaging goods” such as tobacco products, energy drinks and carbonated beverages. Selective Tax Law includes a 100 percent tax on tobacco and its products and energy drinks, and a 50 percent tax on sugary drinks.
Most of the people Qatar Tribune spoke to welcomed the move saying it will be helpful in curbing bad habits, some expressed their reservations over the sin tax.
"This decision will help people to get rid of bad and unhealthy habits such as smoking. Now, the rise in prices will make it harder for those who are just starting to smoke,” Mohammed Bayram, a Tunisian expatriate living in Doha, said.
"Those who can’t quit smoking will now start to look for other stuff,which may eventually lead them to quit this habit.”
Amer Darraoui, another resident, said, "I always wanted to quit smoking, but I needed a good start. Well, after hearing the news about this decision I have quit smoking.”
Many parents welcome the decision to impose tax on energy drinks.
Hakim Khelfa, a sportsman, said, "Going to the gym is a healthy habit but what is unhealthy was the heavy consumption of energy drinks, which adversely affect the people’s health in the long run. I used to see young people heavily consuming energy drinks especially while smoking. Now that their prices have gone up, I think the consumption will reduce significantly.”
Farah Nazih, a housewife, told Qatar Tribune that her husband was a chain smoker, but he decided to quit smoking after hearing this decision.
"He used to smoke a lot, but now he has managed to reduce smoking by half, which is reflected on his health. He is gradually quitting smoking,” she said.