WHO: Countries Should Increase Taxes on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Alcohol

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new call to governments worldwide to increase taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and alcohol to reduce the prevalence of preventable chronic diseases, Euronews reports.

According to data published by the organization, low taxes on these harmful products make their prices too affordable, hindering efforts to limit consumption and combat diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

The WHO emphasizes that in many countries, rates are not adjusted for inflation and often do not reflect the health risks these products pose. This means that high-sugar drinks and alcoholic beverages remain relatively inexpensive and widely consumed.

In a statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that higher health taxes are a proven effective public health tool when well-designed and implemented. Such measures can not only reduce the consumption of harmful products but also generate additional funds to support healthcare systems.

The WHO has already launched initiatives to increase the prices of tobacco products, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages by at least 50% within the coming years, aiming to prevent millions of premature deaths and improve the health of populations worldwide.