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Tag: Namibia

  • Namibia Considering Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Hikes

    Namibia Considering Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Hikes

    The Namibian government is exploring new tax reforms on tobacco and alcohol products as part of broader efforts to combat substance abuse and improve public health outcomes, Minister of Health and Social Services Esperance Luvindao announced this week. Speaking at the opening of a four-day workshop on tobacco and alcohol policy, Luvindao emphasized the growing burden of tobacco and alcohol use on the country’s healthcare system, calling for “further deterrent actions,” particularly increased taxation, to reduce consumption.

    Namibia is aligning its strategy with the World Health Organization’s MPOWER policy package, which includes raising taxes, offering cessation support, and strengthening regulations. The country enacted the Tobacco Product Control Act in 2010, with supporting regulations in 2014, and is now reviewing it to address emerging nicotine products such as vapes, e-cigarettes, and hookah.

  • Increased Imports Put Vapes, Hookahs in Namibia’s Crosshairs

    Increased Imports Put Vapes, Hookahs in Namibia’s Crosshairs

    Last year, Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services said it planned to amend the nation’s Tobacco Act to include nicotine products used for vaping and water pipes, which are currently not regulated. The amendment was initiated to curb the rising use of both segments in Namibia.

    In 2020, Namibia imported N$108.2 million ($6 million) worth of water pipe tobacco (hookah tobacco), vapes, and related mixtures. The combined number between 2021 and 2024 topped N$1.4 billion ($77 million). Over that same period, Namibia spent an additional N$82.2 million ($4.5 million) on the imports of snuff and tobacco extracts.

    Traditional smoking also remains a concern, with Namibia importing N$42.1 million ($2.3 million) worth of cigarettes in March 2025 alone.

  • Namibia to Regulate E-cigarettes

    Namibia to Regulate E-cigarettes

    Image: sezerozger

    Namibia plans to regulate vapor products and water pipes, reports the Windhoek Observer.

    The country’s Ministry of Health and Social Services wants to amend the Tobacco Act to include those products.

    The goal is to curb the growing use of electronic cigarettes and water pipes across the country. The amendment will also facilitate the development of a comprehensive tobacco strategic plan scheduled for launch later this month.

    Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Ester Muinjangue stressed the urgency of regulating vaping products, despite existing legal frameworks to combat tobacco use in Namibia. “There is no safe form of tobacco smoke,” she said, rejecting suggestions that vaping and hookah smoking are safer alternatives to traditional cigarette smoking.

    Muinjangue encouraged smokers seeking to quit their habit to utilize existing resources and seek support from health professionals.