WHO Support for Soda Taxes
The World Health Organisation has published a global list of countries in its WHO Manual that have introduced taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, and is calling on all countries to tax sugar drinks in order to save lives. Eighty-five countries are listed as having some form of sugar taxation in the WHO Manual, with several countries […]
Is a Sugar Tax Enough?
In a comment piece in the Malaysian ‘Sun Daily’ newspaper, Singapore based technical writer Joachim Ng asks whether a sugar tax is enough. “The effectiveness of this higher tax on drinks in curbing sugar consumption depends on whether it is part of a comprehensive public prevention strategy that includes other regulatory measures.” You can read […]
Curbing Ultra-Processed Food
Health experts in Pakistan have called for policy measures, including increased taxes, to curb the use of ultra-processed food and sugary drinks, citing the example of Saudi Arabia which has subjected unhealthy foods to heavy excise duties. In 2019, Saudi Arabia expanded an excise tax charged on tobacco and soda to include electronic cigarettes and […]
Sugar Taxes Nigeria
The Nigerian federal government says it is committed to attain the global best practice of nearly 20 per cent taxation on the final retail price on all sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). With non-communicable diseases believed to be the leading cause of death in Nigeria and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, evidence-based interventions are being recommended by […]
Sugar Tax Experience
PDGN Vice-President and member of the Moroccan House of Representatives, Dr Mostafa Brahimi, attended the Regional Expert Meeting on Policy Action for Healthy Diets in Dubai, where he shared his country’s experience of soda (SSB) taxes. As a member of the Moroccan Obesity Task Force, he explained how Morocco implemented a sugar tax and the […]
Sugar Tax Battles in Nigeria
The battle rages in Nigeria over sugar taxes as some industry players continue to resist and campaign against them, particularly in developing countries. In Nigeria, the National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR) organisation recently hosted a media event to highlight the significance of healthy food policies such as the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax. During the […]
Appeal to Religious Scholars
“Religious scholars have great respect within Pakistan society and they are listened to more than anyone else.” Masudur Rehman Kian Health experts in Pakistan have called on religious scholars to raise awareness about the harmful effects of unhealthy food. At a conference held by the Pakistan National Heart Association (Panah), the organisations president, retired Maj […]