WHO Urges Nigerian Government and Others to Raise Taxes on Sugary Drinks and Alcohol.

WHO Urges Nigerian Government and Others to Raise Taxes on Sugary Drinks and Alcohol.

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.