Sodiq Ojuroungbe
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its support for the sugar-sweetened beverages tax to tackle health issues linked to excessive consumption of sugary drinks.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate stressed the health risks linked to the widespread availability and excessive consumption of sugary drinks.
Speaking at the 2024 National Conference on SSB Tax and Health Financing held in Abuja on Tuesday, the minister lamented that over 3.6 million people are estimated to have diabetes in Nigeria, with half of those cases undiagnosed.
“Projections indicate this number could reach 5 million by 2030, with the cost of treating diabetes expected to exceed ₦1,000,000 per person by that time,” he said.
Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kacholom, the Minister noted the government recognises that a higher SSB tax could serve as both a deterrent to SSB consumption and a source of revenue for healthcare.
He noted, “The goal of the SSB tax is to reduce the consumption of these unhealthy beverages, ultimately preventing obesity and its related diseases.
“In 2021, Nigeria joined over 100 countries that have introduced taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.
“This tax, embedded in the Finance Act of 2021, levies a ₦10 tax on each litre of all non-alcoholic, sweetened, and carbonated drinks. As we look to the future, we must view the SSB tax as a cornerstone of our strategy to improve public health and healthcare financing.
“By discouraging the consumption of sugar-laden beverages, we aim to reduce the prevalence of obesity and diabetes, and in turn, alleviate the financial burden on our healthcare system.
“This tax serves as a deterrent and generates essential revenue that can be reinvested into healthcare initiatives, particularly preventive measures and the treatment of non-communicable diseases.
“Our vision is a Nigeria where healthier choices are accessible and affordable for all citizens. We aspire to create an environment where nutritious alternatives are readily available, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their diet and overall health.
“To achieve this, we must strengthen our collaboration with stakeholders, including the food and beverage industry, healthcare providers, and civil society organizations, to promote healthier lifestyles and ensure the sustainability of our health systems.”
On his part, the Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Akinbode Oluwafemi noted that the urgent public health crisis driven by sugar-sweetened beverages has led to a surge in non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Given the direct link between these illnesses and excessive SSB consumption, he urged the government to raise the SSB tax from the current 10 per cent to 20 per cent per litre.
He explained, “These illnesses, previously rare, now account for nearly 30% of deaths in Nigeria, with cardiovascular diseases alone responsible for 11% of fatalities.
“Health experts report that in the past 20 years, cases of cardiovascular disease have exploded by 150 per cent in Nigeria. Yet we know this is no accident.
“This surge is directly tied to unhealthy lifestyles including the overconsumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods. SSBs, in particular, popularly known as soft drinks offer no nutritional value but have taken over our food shelves.
“This is not because we asked for it, but because the industry and big food corporations have chosen to prioritise profit over public health, exploiting loopholes in our food policies and regulations to push their products, evade accountability and determine our health outcomes.
“The consequences of this abnormality are not just countless Nigerians suffering under the weight of nutrition-related diseases, but families also burdened with soaring out-of-pocket health care expenses, especially in these hard economic times.
“The strain these pressures place on our health, economic, and social systems is considerable. Nigeria’s consumption of over 40 million litres of SSBs contributes to an estimated $2.37 billion annually in societal costs for managing obesity and overweight issues, with informal care costs exceeding N58 million.”
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.com
The post FG vows to raise sugary beverage tax to curb excessive consumption appeared first on Healthwise.