New York, Jan. 14, 2026 (NAN) The World Well being Organisation (WHO) has referred to as on governments to considerably enhance taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol to avoid wasting lives.
WHO warns that drinks like sugary drinks and alcohol had been too accessible and price too little in a lot of the world, serving to gas weight problems, diabetes, most cancers and harm.
“Well being taxes have been proven to scale back consumption of those dangerous merchandise, serving to to stop illness and cut back the burden on well being methods,” WHO Director-Normal Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus advised journalists just about on Tuesday.
“On the identical time, they generate an revenue stream that governments can use to put money into well being, training and social safety.”
Amongst different findings, the report on sugar-sweetened beverage taxes exhibits that a minimum of 116 international locations tax sugary drinks.
It added that sodas or carbonated canned drinks, high-sugar merchandise, reminiscent of 100 per cent fruit juices, sweetened milk drinks, and ready-to-drink coffees and teas, escape taxation.
The report on using alcohol taxes exhibits that 167 international locations levy taxes on liquor, wine and beer.
It nonetheless famous that alcohol has turn into extra inexpensive or remained unchanged in value in most international locations since 2022, as taxes don’t get adjusted for inflation and revenue progress.
“A chilly and candy pick-me-up out of your native espresso store on a scorching day can have detrimental penalties, if consumed usually,” it said.
Elevated consumption of sugary drinks is related to dangers of extra weight and weight problems, Sort 2 diabetes, heart problems and other hostile results together with dental caries and osteoporosis, it stated.
The unfavorable well being impacts of alcohol embody elevated maternal and baby well being dangers, publicity to communicable and noncommunicable ailments, injury to psychological well being and rising the chance of harm to oneself and others.
Growing taxes on dangerous drinks results in fewer individuals consuming them.
For instance the success of this strategy, the WHO chief cited a number of examples together with that of the UK, which launched a tax on sugary drinks in 2018.
This led to diminished sugar consumption, a 338 million kilos income enhance in 2024 alone, and decrease weight problems charges in women aged 10 and 11, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
WHO additionally referred to as on governments to lift and redesign taxes as a part of a brand new well being initiative focusing on tobacco use and extreme consumption of alcohol and sugary drinks. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Mark Longyen
