MISPLACED investments in this country indeed prove that the dots do need to be joined up. The Government-owned Eastern Tobacco Company has recently proclaimed what it believed to be good news about its projected huge complex to occupy an area of 375 feddans(acres) in Sixth October City. The costs, according to the company chair, are LE 5.5 billion, 49 per cent of which is funded by bank loans. The complex is intended to cover the entire local demand of cigarettes, which amounts to 82 billion cigarettes per year in addition to a surplus l0 per cent to face any unexpected consumption rise. This ambitious plan might have been applauded if it were concerned with any sector other than the tobacco industry. Figures related to smoking in Egypt reflect the significance of reducing not augmenting cigarette production. Official reports state that 500,000 local smokers are under the age of l5, that five per cent of family income is directed towards cigarette smoking and that the volume of national expenditure on smoking is LE5 billion. Is there any sense then in bragging about such an enterprise? Ironically, while investments are being pumped in to enlarge the State-owned tobacco manufacturer, substantial funds are being geared to anti-smoking campaigns; and the Government is the party running both shows. The Sixth October complex is furthermore equipped to cover local needs until 2060. Is this a priority at a time when many cases of smokerelated health disorders are being treated at state expense? On the other hand, the Government has very recently announced its intention to impose l0 per cent fees on cigarette packs sold in order to boost the resources of the Health Insurance Authority. The contradictory policy in this sector is actually incomprehensible.
