WHO Calls for Higher Taxes on Sugary Drinks and Alcohol to Curb Rising Lifestyle Diseases

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged governments across the world to increase taxes on fruit juices, sugary drinks, and alcoholic beverages to help reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and injury-related health problems. The WHO stressed that children and young adults are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of these products.

In two recently released global reports, the WHO raised concerns that sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are becoming more affordable in many countries due to low tax rates and a lack of regular tax adjustments. As a result, consumption of these health-damaging products continues to rise, contributing to preventable illnesses and placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems.

While more than 100 countries currently impose taxes on sugary beverages like carbonated soft drinks, the WHO noted that several other high-sugar products are often excluded from taxation. These include 100 per cent fruit juices, flavoured milk drinks, and ready-to-drink coffee and tea beverages, all of which can contain high levels of added or natural sugars. According to the report, the median tax on these products amounts to only about 2 per cent of the retail price of a standard sugary soda, which is considered far too low to discourage consumption.

Another major concern highlighted by the WHO is that many countries fail to adjust health-related taxes to keep pace with inflation. This oversight allows sugary drinks and alcohol to become progressively cheaper over time, making them more accessible, especially to young people. As these products become more affordable, consumption increases, leading to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related diseases.

The WHO pointed out that while companies producing sugary drinks and alcohol earn billions of dollars in profits, healthcare systems worldwide are struggling to cope with the financial burden of treating preventable diseases linked to these products. The organisation has therefore called on governments to significantly strengthen their taxation policies as a public health measure.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised that health taxes are among the most effective tools available to governments. He stated that raising taxes on tobacco, sugary drinks, and alcohol can reduce harmful consumption while also generating much-needed revenue to fund essential health services.

In a separate report focusing on alcohol, the WHO noted that alcohol has either become more affordable or has not increased in price in most countries since 2022, despite well-established health risks. Although at least 167 countries levy taxes on alcohol and 12 countries ban it entirely, tax levels remain relatively low. Globally, the median excise tax share stands at 14 per cent for beer and 22.5 per cent for spirits.

WHO officials warned that cheaper alcohol contributes to higher rates of violence, injuries, and chronic diseases. The organisation has urged countries to raise and redesign taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, intending to make these products less affordable by 2035 and protect public health in the long term.

With Inputs From IANS