Extrapolative Analysis of the Economic Implications of Tobacco Use in Central and East Africa

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue XII, December 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Extrapolative Analysis of the Economic Implications of Tobacco Use in Central and East Africa

Ibikunle Afolabi Joseph Ph.D.
 Department of Economics, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract: – Tobacco related diseases are threat to public health all over the world, with more than 7 million deaths recorded annually. More than 6 million of those deaths are fallouts of direct tobacco consumption while about 890,000 are from passive smoking. Most of these victims, as existing studies reveals are youths. Coincidentally, the role of youths in sustainable development cannot be underestimated. Youths are the source of the human capital that create wealth for the nation and the foundation of any sustainability. Incidentally, rampant abuse of tobacco, with its attendant health problems like cancer and most importantly the negative social behavior and death significantly affect economic growth. Given the relative significance to economic growth therefore, this paper sets out toexamine the economic implications of tobacco use on sustainable development in Central and East Africa. Applying the descriptive and situational analysis, the study reveals that tobacco use as well as tobacco – related deaths is on the increase. Hence, tobacco use stands as impediment towards achieving SDGs in sub-Saharan Africa. The study therefore recommends that high tariff be imposed on tobacco in order to discourage its massive consumption by youth so as to keep them healthy for the attainment of SDGs.

Keywords: Tobacco, Youths, sub-Saharan, Sustainable Development, Human Capital

JEL Classification: I12, I15, I18

I. INTRODUCTION

Tobacco, notably, is in use throughout the world accompanied by a host of diseases that threaten the health state and reduces the life span of users (WHO, 2017).There are over 1 billion smokers around the world, and 80% of them live in developing countries (Sub-Saharan Africa).Tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of preventable deaths, leading to almost 6 million deaths globally on a yearly basis (Sinha et. al, 2015; WHO, 2012, 2011a). Its usage is also responsible for over 20 percent of all cancer related deaths and 70 percent of all lung cancer deaths worldwide. It is also a risk factor for respiratory diseases (including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema) and cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

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