The Investment Case for Tobacco Control for Myanmar examines the burden of tobacco use in Myanmar. It analyzes the extent to which investing in key WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) measures can generate health, economic and other development returns, accelerating Myanmar’s achievement of many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The case presents key findings; linkage between tobacco use and poverty; and how the poor benefit the most from tobacco control.

The case provides policy recommendations as follow:

• Include tobacco control as a proven poverty reduction measure
• Raise awareness among the public and policymakers of the true costs of tobacco and the enormous health and development benefits of tobacco control
• Scale up tobacco taxes over time to at least 75% of the retail price to outpace inflation and income growth
• Consider allocating part of tobacco tax revenues to tobacco control and pro-poor measures
• Ensure all relevant sectors are engaged in comprehensive, effective, and sustainable tobacco control efforts
• Expand research, the evidence-base, and policy measures to ensure greater consideration of cheroots and smokeless tobacco