Increase prices of sugary drinks, alcohol, tobacco by 50%: WHO
Jeremy Farrar, WHO's assistant-director general of health promotion and disease prevention, emphasised the importance of these health taxes, stating, "Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have. It's time to act."The WHO's strategic plan, known as "3 by 35", targets the potential to raise $1 trillion by 2035 from this taxation policy. Such a substantial financial boost could be pivotal for countries struggling with diminishing development aid and increasing public debt.WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that these taxes could enable governments to "adjust to the new reality" and bolster their health systems amidst shrinking development aid.This approach not only targets health improvements but also seeks to provide economic resilience for health services.WHO health economist Guillermo Sandoval explained that, in practical terms, the price of a taxed product in a middle-income country could rise from $4 today to $10 by 2035, taking inflation into account.WHO's proposal follows evidence from countries like Colombia and South Africa, where similar taxes have successfully increased prices and reduced consumption. The initiative also suggests that such fiscal measures can be a powerful tool for health policy.Nonetheless, the WHO's recommendation has met opposition from industry representatives. Kate Loatman, executive director of the International Council of Beverages Associations, criticised the policy: "It's deeply concerning that the WHO continues to disregard over a decade of clear evidence showing that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages has never improved health outcomes or reduced obesity in any country."
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that these taxes could enable governments to
These criticisms highlight the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of taxation as a public health strategy.Amanda Berger, senior vice president of science and research at the Distilled Spirits Council, echoed these concerns, saying, "The WHO's suggestion that raising taxes will prevent alcohol-related harm is misguided."The response from the industry suggests potential challenges in implementing WHO's proposed tax increases. The pushback from these sectors underscores the complexity of balancing economic interests with public health goals.Despite these criticisms, the tax initiative has garnered support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).advertisementThese organisations express readiness to assist countries wishing to adopt the tax measures. Their support is crucial in providing the necessary resources and expertise for effective implementation.As nearly 140 countries have already raised tobacco taxes by over 50% between 2012 and 2022, the WHO is also exploring broader taxation measures on ultra-processed foods.This approach may face further pushback, but it underscores WHO's commitment to using fiscal policies to improve public health. The agency's efforts reflect a broader strategy to combat non-communicable diseases through innovative financial policies.Besides this, in April, 2025, a national consortium led by India's premier medical panel sought a health tax on foods high in fat, sugar and salt as well as stricter rules around food marketing to children.With obesity rates rising among adolescents in India, the group led by the Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), called for urgent action to improve the food environment for young people.The group urged a ban on selling foods high in fat, sugar and salt in canteens and near educational institutions, as provided in guidelines by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).- EndsTune InMust Watch
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Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
WHO's ‘3 by 35' initiative targets tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a '3 by 35' initiative urging countries to raise real prices on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50 per cent by 2035 through health taxes in a move designed to curb chronic diseases and generate critical public revenue. Led by WHO, the initiative brings together a group of global partners to help countries put health taxes into action. These organizations offer a mix of technical know-how, policy advice, and real-world experience. By working together, they aim to raise awareness about the benefits of health taxes and support efforts at the national level. As per WHO officials, the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks are fueling the epidemic of non-communicable diseases. NCDs, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, account for over 75 per cent of all deaths worldwide. A recent report shows that a one-time 50 per cent price increase on these products could prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years. 'Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have,' Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control, WHO, said in an official statement. The initiative has an ambitious goal of raising US $1 trillion over the next 10 years. Between 2012 and 2022, nearly 140 countries raised tobacco taxes, which resulted in an increase of real prices by over 50 per cent on average, showing that large-scale change is possible, according to the WHO report. Many countries have expressed interest in transitioning toward more self-reliant, domestically funded health systems and are turning to WHO for guidance. The '3 by 35' initiative introduces key action areas to help countries, pairing proven health policies with best practices on implementation. These include direct support for country-led reforms, mobilizing domestic public resources to fund essential health and development programmes, including universal health coverage. India has implemented tobacco taxation under the GST framework, with 28 per cent GST and an additional compensation cess on cigarettes and select products. However, bidis (smoked by low-income groups) and smokeless tobacco (SLT) (used by over two-thirds of tobacco users) remain under-taxed. Experts said that India's current approach to taxing tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages represents a fragmented, revenue-centric model that lacks a coherent public health framework. 'India's current taxation of tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages represents substantial untapped potential for public health advancement. The absence of a coherent health tax framework limits their effectiveness in addressing India' s growing NCD burden. The WHO 3 by 35 Initiative provides both the rationale and the roadmap for transformation, offering a pathway to shift from revenue-driven to public health-oriented taxation that can achieve the dual objectives of sustainable health financing and disease prevention,' Dr Prashant Kumar Singh, senior scientist at Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research told The Indian Express. Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
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