GENEVA // The UN health agency recommended on Tuesday that countries use tax policy to increase the price of sugary drinks like fizzy drinks, sport drinks and even 100 per cent fruit juices as a way to fight obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.
The World Health Organization, in a statement timed for World Obesity Day, said the prevalence of obesity worldwide more than doubled between 1980 and 2014, when nearly 40 per cent of people globally were overweight.
In a report on fiscal policy and diet, WHO also cited “strong evidence” that subsidies to reduce the prices of fresh fruits and vegetables can help improve diets. And it said a 20 per cent increase in the retail prices of sugary drinks would result in a proportional reduction in consumption.
Drawing on lessons from campaigns to fight tobacco use, WHO said that imposing or increasing taxes on sugary drinks could help lower consumption of sugars, bringing health benefits and more income for governments to pay for health services. The health agency has long recommended that people keep intake of sugar to less than 10 per cent of their total energy needs.
“Consumption of free sugars, including products like sugary drinks, is a major factor in the global increase of people suffering from obesity and diabetes,” said Dr Douglas Bettcher, who heads WHO’s department for preventing non-communicable diseases. “If governments tax products like sugary drinks, they can reduce suffering and save lives.”
WHO officials said the United States was no longer the leading consumer of sugar-sweetened beverages – Chile and Mexico are now in front. They also noted a rapid increase in consumption in China and Sub-Saharan Africa. At least three in five adolescents in countries like Chile, Argentina and Algeria consume soft drinks daily, compared to between 20 to 40 per cent in the US and much of Europe.
“Taxation policies can be a very important tool – just one tool among many – but a very important tool for the reduction of sugar-sweetened beverages,” said Dr Francesco Branca, who heads WHO’s department for nutrition and health. He pointed to “pioneering” efforts by Michael Bloomberg, during his time as mayor of New York, and other US officials to reduce sugar consumption.
* Associated Press
