WHO calls for more tax on cheaper sugary, alcoholic drinks to improve public health

GENEVA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are becoming increasingly affordable due to consistently low tax rates in most countries, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and injuries, especially among children and young adults, said the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday.

The WHO released two new global reports, calling on governments to substantially increase taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and alcoholic drinks. The reports warn that weak tax systems keep harmful products affordable while health systems face growing financial pressure from preventable noncommunicable diseases and injuries.

"Health taxes are one of the most powerful tools we have to promote health and prevent disease," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a press release. "By taxing products like tobacco, sugar-sweetened beverages and alcohol, governments can reduce harmful consumption and raise revenues for essential health services."

The WHO said that combined global market profits of sugar-sweetened beverages and alcoholic beverages amount to tens of billions of U.S. dollars, driving the widespread consumption of these products and increasing corporate profits. However, government taxes on these products for health purposes capture only a small share of these profits, while society bears the long-term health and economic costs.

The Global Report on the Use of Sugar-sweetened Beverage Taxes 2025 shows that at least 116 countries tax sugar-sweetened beverages, with many taxes applying to carbonated soft drinks. Yet, many other high-sugar products, such as 100 percent fruit juices, sweetened milk-based drinks, and ready-to-drink coffee and tea, remain untaxed.

Another report, the Global Report on the Use of Alcohol Taxes 2025, shows that at least 167 countries tax alcoholic beverages, with 12 countries imposing a full ban. Despite this, alcoholic beverage prices have become cheaper or remained the same in most countries since 2022, as tax increases have failed to keep pace with inflation and income growth. Despite clear health risks, at least 25 countries, mainly in Europe, still do not tax wine.

The two reports summarize the findings of an analysis of 2024 data. The WHO calls on countries to raise and redesign taxes as part of its "3 by 35 initiative," which aims to make three products - tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages - progressively less affordable by 2035 to help protect public health. ■