2023-12-05 18:58:34
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday called on governments to increase taxes on sugary and alcoholic drinks, deploring that too few countries are using their taxation to encourage consumers to give up habits harmful to health .
After studying the tax rates on this type of product, the WHO concluded that the average tax rate on “these unhealthy products” was low, and that an increase would improve the health of populations.
“The WHO recommends that excise duties apply to all sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages,” says a press release released in Geneva.
According to the WHO, 2.6 million people die each year due to alcohol consumption, and more than 8 million due to the consumption of products harmful to health.
“Imposing taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks will reduce these deaths,” assured the WHO.
This will not only be a deterrent for consumers, but also an incentive to encourage companies to produce healthier drinks.
According to the WHO, 108 countries impose taxes on sodas and sugary drinks, but the average tax rate represents just 6.6% of the price of a soda.
Half of these countries also impose taxes on water, which is contrary to WHO recommendations.
“Taxing unhealthy products improves the health of populations. It has positive impacts for society, less disease and debility, and sources of revenue for governments to provide public services,” said Rudiger Krech, WHO director for health promotion.
“In the case of alcohol, taxes help prevent violence and injuries from road (accidents),” he stressed.
On Tuesday, the WHO published a manual on alcohol taxation for the organization’s 194 member states.
A minimum price, combined with a tax, would reduce the consumption of cheap alcohol as well as alcohol-related hospitalizations and deaths, traffic violations, and crime, according to the manual’s recommendations.
Some 148 countries impose excise duties on alcoholic beverages. “However, wine is exempt from excise taxes in at least 22 countries, most in Europe,” noted the WHO.
On average, the excise tax on the best-selling beer brand is 17.2%, while that on the most popular brand of the number one selling spirit is 26.5%, the WHO said .
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