Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the increasing affordability of sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages could worsen the global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), as weak taxation policies continue to encourage higher consumption.
The warning follows Tuesday’s release of two new WHO global reports, which show that low or poorly designed health taxes are allowing health-harming products to remain cheap, placing growing pressure on already strained health systems.
Sugary drinks and alcohol are major contributors to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, injuries and violence. However, the WHO says many governments are failing to use health taxes effectively to reduce consumption and generate funds for prevention and treatment.
“Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have for promoting health and preventing disease,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “By increasing taxes on products like tobacco, sugary drinks and alcohol, governments can reduce harmful consumption and unlock funds for vital health services.”
According to the reports, at least 116 countries now tax sugary drinks, mainly carbonated beverages. However, many high-sugar products — including sweetened fruit juices, flavoured milk drinks, and ready-to-drink teas and coffees — remain untaxed in several countries.
While 167 countries impose some form of alcohol tax, the WHO found that alcohol has become more affordable in most regions since 2022 because tax rates have failed to keep pace with inflation and income growth.
“More affordable alcohol drives violence, injuries and disease,” said Dr Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention. “The public often bears the health consequences while industry profits.”
The WHO is urging governments to strengthen health taxes under its “3 by 35” initiative, which aims to raise the real prices of tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks by 2035. The agency says stronger taxation could save lives, reduce preventable diseases and generate sustainable revenue for health services.
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Hussaini Ibrahim 