The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on Nigeria and other nations to raise taxes on sugary beverages, alcohol, and tobacco by at least 50 per cent over the next decade as part of a global strategy to tackle the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
In a statement published on its website, the UN health agency said higher taxes would not only reduce the consumption of products linked to conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease but also generate substantial revenue for critical sectors such as health, education, and social services.
The recommendation is part of WHO’s new “3 by 35 Initiative,” which aims to increase the real prices of tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) by half through fiscal policies by 2035.
Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, warned of the impact of these harmful products on global health. “The consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks is fueling an epidemic of non-communicable diseases that now account for over 75 per cent of global deaths,” he said.
“Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have. They reduce harmful consumption and provide resources for health care. It’s time to act,” Farrar added.
According to WHO, a 50 per cent price increase on these products could prevent up to 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years. The initiative also targets the mobilisation of \$1 trillion in global revenue over the next decade.
WHO also noted that despite progress in a few countries, many governments continue to grant tax breaks to industries that produce harmful products, undermining global public health efforts
It urged countries to review such incentives and long-term deals that block tobacco tax reforms, warning that such policies jeopardise national health goals.
Between 2012 and 2022, over 140 countries increased tobacco taxes, leading to more than a 50 per cent rise in product prices.
Countries like Colombia and South Africa have recorded both reduced consumption and increased revenues after introducing health taxes.
In Nigeria, the National Sugar Tax Coalition has advised the Federal Government to adopt findings from a local simulation study, which projects that raising the current SSB tax from N10 to N130 per litre could save thousands of lives from sugar-related illnesses.
The “3 by 35” plan outlines key steps for countries to adopt, including raising excise taxes to reduce the affordability of harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks; mobilising domestic funds to support universal health coverage and broader development goals; and fostering strong cross-sector collaboration among ministries of health and finance, civil society, and academic institutions to design and implement effective, evidence-based health tax policies.
The WHO called on civil society, development partners, and governments to commit to the Initiative and pursue “smarter, fairer taxation” to protect public health and drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
