Lesotho Government Tables Tobacco and Alcohol Levy Amendment Regulations for 2025

In a move aimed at strengthening fiscal policy and addressing public health concerns, the Government of Lesotho has introduced the Tobacco and Alcoholic Products (Levy Amendment) of Schedule Regulations, 2025. The regulations were formally tabled in the Upper House of Parliament on Wednesday by Minister of Law and Justice, Mr. Richard Ramoeletsi, acting on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Development Planning.

Minister Ramoeletsi, who also serves as a member of the Senate, presented the proposed amendments before the House during a session presided over by Vice President Mr. Tsukutlane AU. The Regulations propose adjustments to the current levy framework on tobacco and alcohol products, signaling the government’s ongoing efforts to align taxation with public health objectives and regional economic trends.

The session followed parliamentary protocol, with the proposed Regulations being deferred to the appropriate committee for further examination and deliberation, as guided by Standing Order 65. The relevant parliamentary committee is expected to scrutinize the implications of the proposed changes before they are debated and potentially enacted into law.

While the full details of the amendment are yet to be disclosed publicly, the move suggests a continued focus by the Lesotho government on using fiscal tools to regulate consumption of harmful substances and to increase revenue generation. If approved, the amendments may affect importers, manufacturers, and consumers of tobacco and alcoholic products across the country.

Industry stakeholders and the public are expected to monitor the committee’s deliberations closely, as any adjustment to levies could have ripple effects on product pricing, trade dynamics, and public health policies.

This development forms part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to refine Lesotho’s taxation structure and ensure that levy policies remain relevant and effective in today’s economic climate.