Higher Cigarette Taxes Can Reduce Smoking
WHO says strong and regular tax changes can protect health.
A new study looked at cigarette taxes in 15 countries from 2009 to 2025. Every country improved its tax policy. The best results came when governments made large and regular changes.
In the Philippines, cigarette prices rose greatly and smoking fell by about one third. Some tax money also helped pay for health care. WHO says taxes must keep up with inflation and rising incomes.
Source: World Health Organization, 2026-09-30.
Learn with this story
Check your English
Use the article again before opening the answers.
Vocabulary
- Policy
- an official plan or set of rules
- Source
- the person, organization, or document that provides information
Comprehension
What happened in this story, and why does it matter?
Answer guide
WHO says strong and regular tax changes can protect health. Add one supporting fact from the article.
Quick check
Which sentence best describes this story?
- WHO says strong and regular tax changes can protect health.
- WHO says more countries support older people, but funding, data and access remain uneven.
- The guidance says planning, water, cooling and on-site care can prevent many illnesses.
Show answer
The best answer is A.
Grammar focus: Past simple
Find action verbs that describe completed events. Example forms include “started,” “said,” and “found.”