Sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are becoming cheaper in many countries, increasing the risk of noncommunicable diseases and injuries, the World Health Organization has stated. ALSO READ: NCDs: Numbers may be silent, but these statistics should scare us all In two reports released on January 13, WHO said low and poorly designed taxes are allowing products linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and alcohol-related harm to remain widely affordable. The agency said the situation is adding pressure to health systems already dealing with rising rates of preventable illnesses. ALSO READ: WHO urges 50% tax hike on tobacco, alcohol, sugary drinks “Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have for promoting health and preventing disease,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He said higher taxes on sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco reduce harmful consumption while generating revenue for health services. ALSO READ: No alcohol is the best choice, warns UN health agency WHO said the global market for sugary drinks and alcohol generates billions of dollars each year, yet governments collect only a small portion through health taxes. The rest of the burden, including the cost of treatment, lost productivity, and premature deaths, falls on families and public health systems. At least 116 countries tax sugary drinks, most of them focusing on carbonated soft drinks, according to the report. Many other high-sugar beverages are not taxed, including sweetened milk drinks, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, and 100 percent fruit juices. WHO said this limits the impact of taxation by leaving much of the market outside regulation. While 97 percent of countries tax energy drinks, this figure has not changed since 2023. WHO found that at least 167 countries tax alcoholic beverages, while 12 countries ban alcohol entirely. Despite these measures, alcohol has become more affordable, or remained at the same price in most countries since 2022. The report also found that tax rates have lagged behind inflation and income growth. In at least 25 countries, mostly in Europe, wine is still untaxed. “More affordable alcohol leads to violence, injuries, and disease. While companies make higher profits, the public pays the price and societies bear the costs,” said Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention. WHO found that taxes make up only a small portion of alcohol prices, with median excise rates at 14 percent for beer and 22.5 percent for spirits. Taxes on sugary drinks are even lower, averaging just 2 percent of the price of a soda. In many countries, these levies apply only to certain products, and a few governments adjust them for inflation, allowing real prices to fall over time. WHO said public support for higher taxes already exists. A 2022 Gallup poll found that most people favor higher levies on alcohol and sugary drinks. The agency is now urging governments to raise and redesign health taxes through its “3 by 35” initiative, which targets tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks.
