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WHO Urges Higher Taxes on Sugary Drinks, Alcohol to Fight Diabetes, Cancers

The World Health Organization has released new reports calling for significantly higher taxes on sugary drinks, including fruit juices, and alcohol to combat rising rates of non-communicable diseases. The WHO notes these products are becoming more affordable due to low and stagnant tax rates in most countries, which often don't adjust for inflation. Health leaders argue that increasing these "health taxes" can reduce harmful consumption and generate funds for overburdened health systems. The organization specifically urges governments to redesign taxes to make tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks progressively less affordable by 2035.

Key Points: WHO Calls for Tax Hikes on Sugary Drinks, Alcohol to Curb Disease

  • Sugary drinks & alcohol are getting cheaper globally
  • Over 100 countries tax sodas, but juices & sweetened milks often escape
  • Low tax rates fail to keep pace with inflation
  • WHO links affordable alcohol to violence, injuries, and disease
  • Profits from harmful products contrast with strained health systems
2 min read

Increase taxes on fruit juices, sugary drinks, alcohol to reduce diabetes and cancers: WHO

WHO reports urge global tax increases on fruit juices, sugary drinks, and alcohol to reduce obesity, diabetes, cancers, and make health-harming products less affordable.

Increase taxes on fruit juices, sugary drinks, alcohol to reduce diabetes and cancers: WHO
"Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have for promoting health and preventing disease. - Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus"

New Delhi, Jan 14

Increasing taxes on fruit juices, sugary drinks, and alcohol is essential to curb the rising non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and injuries, especially in children and young adults, said the World Health Organization.

In two new global reports, the WHO flagged concerns that sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are getting cheaper, due to consistently low tax rates in most countries.

While more than 100 countries tax sugary drinks like sodas, other high-sugar products, such as 100 per cent fruit juices, sweetened milk drinks, and ready-to-drink coffees and teas, escape taxation. The median tax for these accounts for only about 2 per cent of the price of a common sugary soda.

Besides, only a few countries are adjusting taxes for inflation, allowing the health-harming products to become steadily more affordable.

Being cheap for consumption, the harmful products are generating billions of dollars in profit. On the other hand, health systems across the globe are facing mounting financial pressure from preventable noncommunicable diseases and injuries, the WHO said, while calling on governments to significantly strengthen taxes on sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages.

"Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have for promoting health and preventing disease," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

"By increasing taxes on products like tobacco, sugary drinks, and alcohol, governments can reduce harmful consumption and unlock funds for vital health services," he added.

In a separate report, the WHO stated that alcohol has become more affordable or remained unchanged in price in most countries since 2022, despite clear health risks. At least 167 countries levy taxes on alcoholic beverages, while 12 ban alcohol entirely.

WHO found that across regions, tax shares on alcohol remain low, with global excise share medians of 14 per cent for beer and 22.5 per cent for spirits.

"More affordable alcohol drives violence, injuries and disease," said Dr Etienne Krug, Director of WHO's Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention.

"While industry profits, the public often carries the health consequences and society the economic costs," Krug said.

The WHO called on countries to raise and redesign taxes and increase the real prices of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by 2035, making them less affordable over time to help protect people's health.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While the intention is good, just increasing taxes won't solve the problem. The government needs to invest that tax money in public health awareness and making healthier alternatives affordable. Otherwise, it's just another revenue stream.
A
Aman W
Totally agree on sugary drinks and alcohol. But taxing 100% fruit juice seems harsh. What about fresh juice from local vendors? Will that be taxed too? The policy needs to be very clear to avoid hurting small businesses.
S
Sarah B
As someone living in India, I see the impact daily. The affordability of cheap alcohol is a huge social issue, leading to health problems and domestic violence. Making it less affordable through taxes is a strong public health tool.
V
Vikram M
The WHO is right. These products are becoming cheaper while healthcare costs are skyrocketing. It's simple economics - if you want less of something, make it more expensive. Hope the Indian government takes this seriously and acts.
K
Kavya N
What about traditional Indian sweets and snacks (mithai, namkeen)? They are also high in sugar and unhealthy fats. Will they be next? We need a holistic approach to diet, not just targeting packaged drinks. Education is key from a young age.

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