By Zoila Palma: Sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are becoming increasingly affordable worldwide, creating serious health risks, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns.
According to two new global reports, consistently low tax rates on these products are contributing to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and injuries, particularly among children and young adults.
WHO is urging governments to strengthen health taxes as a key measure to reduce consumption and save lives.
“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.”
The reports reveal that while the global market for sugary drinks and alcohol generates billions of dollars in profit, governments capture only a small fraction of that value through taxation, leaving societies to bear long-term health and economic costs.
The WHO findings highlight glaring gaps in current tax systems.
Many high-sugar beverages, including 100% fruit juices, sweetened milk drinks, and ready-to-drink coffees, remain untaxed, while alcoholic beverages have become more affordable in most countries since 2022.
“More affordable alcohol drives violence, injuries and disease,” emphasized Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention.
Despite widespread public support for higher taxes, existing systems are poorly targeted, and few countries adjust rates for inflation, allowing harmful products to become steadily cheaper over time.
As part of its new 3 by 35 initiative, WHO is calling on countries to raise and redesign taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks to make these products less affordable by 2035.
The post World Health Organization warns that cheaper sugary drinks and alcohol fuel Global health crisis appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are becoming increasingly affordable worldwide, creating serious health risks, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns. According to two new global reports, consistently low tax rates on these products are contributing to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and injuries, particularly among children and young adults.
The post World Health Organization warns that cheaper sugary drinks and alcohol fuel Global health crisis appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
