The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged governments worldwide to significantly increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages to reduce preventable deaths and ease pressure on health systems.
The global health body warned that sugary beverages and alcohol remain too cheap and widely available in many countries, contributing to rising cases of obesity, diabetes, cancer and injuries.
“Health taxes have been shown to reduce consumption of these harmful products, helping to prevent disease and reduce the burden on health systems,” WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said on Tuesday.
He added that such taxes also generate revenue that governments can invest in health, education and social protection.
According to a WHO report, at least 116 countries currently tax sugar-sweetened beverages. However, many high-sugar products, including 100 per cent fruit juices, sweetened milk drinks, and ready-to-drink coffees and teas, remain exempt in several countries.
A separate report found that 167 countries levy taxes on beer, wine and spirits. Despite this, alcohol has become more affordable or remained the same price in most countries since 2022 because taxes have not been adjusted for inflation or income growth.
WHO noted that regular consumption of sugary drinks is linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dental problems and other health complications. Alcohol consumption, it said, increases risks to maternal and child health, mental health, and the likelihood of injuries and disease.
Highlighting successful examples, WHO cited the United Kingdom’s sugary drinks tax introduced in 2018, which reduced sugar intake, generated £338 million in revenue in 2024 alone, and helped lower obesity rates among girls aged 10 and 11, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
The organisation called on governments to raise and redesign taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks as part of broader public health efforts to curb harmful consumption and improve population health.
