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WHO: Tax Junk Food to Fight Disease Epidemic
14 Jan
Summary
- WHO urges governments to increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol.
- Rising NCDs in India account for over 60% of all deaths.
- Health taxes are a powerful tool to promote health and prevent disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global appeal for governments to raise taxes on sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages. This call to action stems from the observation that weak tax systems enable these harmful products to remain cheap, thereby fueling a worldwide increase in obesity, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. The WHO's '3 by 35' initiative, launched recently, targets tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, aiming to reduce their affordability by 2035.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized that health taxes are among the most effective instruments for promoting well-being and preventing disease. He highlighted that increased taxes can curb consumption and generate revenue for vital health services, welcoming India's recent tax hikes on tobacco products. These measures are critical as non-communicable diseases contribute to over 60% of all deaths in India.
Despite many countries taxing sugary drinks, the taxes often represent only about 2% of the product's price and fail to cover a broad range of high-sugar items. Similarly, alcohol taxes are not keeping pace with inflation or income growth, making these products more accessible. India's push for comprehensive taxation reform across beverages and tobacco, prioritizing health over revenue, is seen as a crucial step in addressing this escalating health crisis.
