4.2 BILLION PULA COLLECTED FROM ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO LEVIES SINCE INCEPTION.

Article By: Diana Motsu

A total of 4.2 billion Pula has been collected from the Alcohol and Tobacco Levies since their inception in 2019.

Acting Minister of Health, Lawrence Ookeditse, informed Parliament today that these funds, administered by the Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS), have been directed towards addressing public health issues.

He noted that the Ministry of Health has received 10% of the alcohol levy to fund vital programs aimed at tackling substance use.

Ookeditse pointed out that since 2019, the Ministry has received 214.8 million Pula from the alcohol levy, spending 166.2 million Pula on various health initiatives, including workshops, medical services, and awareness campaigns.

Ookeditse also highlighted that the tobacco levy has contributed 196.7 million Pula to these efforts.