Latest news with #3by35Initiative
Sinar Daily
06-07-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
WHO urges 50 per cent price hike on tobacco and alcohol by 2035
The United Nations health agency is urging countries to raise the prices of these harmful products by at least 50 per cent by 2035 through taxes. 06 Jul 2025 06:00pm The United Nations (UN) health agency is urging countries to raise the prices of these harmful products by at least 50 per cent by 2035 through taxes. - AFP file photo GENEVA - The World Health Organisation (WHO) is campaigning for significantly higher taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, and sugary drinks, reported German Press Agency (dpa). The United Nations (UN) health agency is urging countries to raise the prices of these harmful products by at least 50 per cent by 2035 through taxes. According to WHO, the revenue could be used to fund the fight against heart disease, cancer and diabetes. - 123RF photo According to WHO, the revenue could be used to fund the fight against heart disease, cancer and diabetes. These and other non-communicable diseases account for three-quarters of all causes of death worldwide. Citing a 2024 report by the Healthcare Tax Policy working group which is sponsored by the non-profit Bloomberg Philanthropies, the WHO said that a one-time 50 per cent price increase by 2035 could prevent up to 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years. The WHO's 3 by 35 Initiative hopes to raise US$1 trillion over the next 10 years to invest in healthcare, education, and social protection measures. "The 3 by 35 Initiative aims to revitalise health taxes as a powerful tool to reduce harmful consumption, save lives, and generate vital public revenue," the WHO said in a statement. - BERNAMA-dpa More Like This
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Health
- 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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Business Standard
03-07-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
WHO's '3 by 35' plan aims 50% tax hike on tobacco, alcohol, sugary drinks
Your daily soda or cigarette may become significantly more expensive—but in a way that could save millions of lives. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday launched the '3 by 35 Initiative', aiming to increase taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50 per cent globally by 2035. Published in WHO's official news release on July 2, the plan targets a reduction in harmful consumption, generation of $1 trillion in public revenue over the next decade, and prevention of 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years. What is WHO's 3 by 35 initiative about? The 3 by 35 Initiative is WHO's latest strategy to reduce the global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by targeting three high-risk products: tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks. The plan calls for a real price hike of at least 50 per cent by 2035 through higher health taxes. These products are among the leading causes of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses that account for more than 75 per cent of global deaths, the WHO said. Why are higher health taxes important? Health taxes are a proven tool for reducing consumption of harmful products while raising significant government revenue. Between 2012 and 2022, around 140 countries increased tobacco taxes, resulting in over 50 per cent price rises and reduced smoking rates. WHO data suggests similar strategies applied to alcohol and sugary drinks could save lives and raise billions for public services. The WHO projects these taxes could generate an additional $1 trillion in revenue globally within 10 years. A single tax increase to raise prices by 50 per cent could generate as much as $3.7 trillion over five years—equivalent to 0.75 per cent of global GDP. These funds could strengthen national health systems, expand universal health coverage, and reduce reliance on external aid. Which countries have already benefited from health taxes? Countries like Colombia and South Africa have implemented successful health taxes, leading to reduced product consumption and increased public funds. However, some countries still offer tax breaks to industries producing these harmful products, which the WHO warns could undermine health outcomes. As part of the 3 by 35 plan, WHO and its global partners will help countries: • Design tailored health tax policies • Build political support and public consensus • Train officials for efficient tax implementation • Share best practices and regional models Why it matters now Noncommunicable diseases are the leading global killers, and lifestyle choices are central to this crisis. The 3 by 35 initiative shows how policy can help shift entire populations toward healthier living. Importantly, the resulting revenues could finance better hospitals, free vaccinations, and stronger public healthcare—creating a healthier future for all.
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
WHO urges 50pct price hike on tobacco and alcohol by 2035
GENEVA: The World Health Organisation (WHO) is campaigning for significantly higher taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, and sugary drinks, reported German Press Agency (dpa). The United Nations (UN) health agency is urging countries to raise the prices of these harmful products by at least 50 per cent by 2035 through taxes. According to WHO, the revenue could be used to fund the fight against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. These and other non-communicable diseases account for three-quarters of all causes of death worldwide. Citing a 2024 report by the Healthcare Tax Policy working group — sponsored by the non-profit Bloomberg Philanthropies — the WHO said that a one-time 50 per cent price increase by 2035 could prevent up to 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years. The WHO's 3 by 35 Initiative hopes to raise US$1 trillion over the next 10 years to invest in healthcare, education, and social protection measures. "The 3 by 35 Initiative aims to revitalise health taxes as a powerful tool to reduce harmful consumption, save lives, and generate vital public revenue," the WHO said in a statement. — Bernama-dpa
