Why new tax on beauty products makes more sense than it looks
The beauty taxes reflect a growing policy trend across Africa, where governments are increasingly using taxation to discourage products linked to potential health risks and rising healthcare costs. PHOTO | FILE
Josephine Christopher is a senior business journalist for The Citizen and Mwananchi newspapers
Mwananchi Communications Limitted
Dar es Salaam. At first glance, the government's decision to raise taxes on beauty products and impose a new levy on UV nail-curing machines may appear to be little more than a revenue-raising measure in a tight fiscal environment.
Yet evidence from tax justice and public health experts suggests the government’s rationale extends beyond collecting an additional Sh2.47 billion.
