Indonesia: The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) in Indonesia stated that 50% of the tobacco product excise revenue sharing fund will be allocated to support the social protection fund for farmers and workers in the tobacco industry. According to the KSP, the effort is necessary in order to help workers and farmers cope with the impact of the global economic uncertainty on Indonesia’s tobacco sector. The assistance will be offered in the form of fertilizer, machinery and cash. Notably, the Ministry of Finance requires 3% of the tobacco excise revenue to be allocated as a profit-sharing fund managed by the producing regional government.
Zimbabwe: The Zimbabwe government has put in place modalities to ensure value addition for tobacco before export. During a speech by Anxious Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, it was reaffirmed that the government plans to reach its USD 5 billion tobacco industry goal by 2025 through beneficiation of the crop. The Ministry shared that exporting the vast majority of tobacco in raw form leads to export of jobs and value. As a result, only a fraction of the final income stays in Zimbabwe. As a reference, in 2022, Zimbabwe earned from tobacco USD 650 million, up from USD 589 million in 2021.
Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) cancelled Leanrise Tobacco’s buying license after finding the company guilty of side marketing. According to the TIMB, Leanrise illegally leased its license to Munyasha Tobacco. Leanrise denied the accusations and accused the regulator of misinterpreting the law. The company further defended itself saying it is entitled to have agents who use their license to advance their business.
Portugal: Starting in January 2023, smoking in Portugal is only allowed in restaurants, bars and clubs with an area equal to or greater than 100 square metres and a minimum ceiling height of three metres. The ordinance also dictates rules regarding spaces intended for smokers, which “can be constituted up to a maximum of 20% of the area intended for customers”. New measures against tobacco will be introduced in Italy to address the prevention and fight against smoking. The government wants to achieve the European Cancer Plan’s goal of creating a “tobacco-free generation”. The ban on smoking in open air places in the presence of minors and pregnant women will be extended, and smoking rooms in closed premises will no longer be allowed. E-cigarettes and heated tobacco are included in the restrictions.
Source: ITGA crop Monitor, February.