Latest news with #UNFinanceforDevelopment
India Today
20 hours ago
- Health
- India Today
Increase prices of sugary drinks, alcohol, tobacco by 50%: WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on nations to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco by 50% over the next ten recommendation, introduced at the UN Finance for Development conference in Seville, is part of a new initiative aiming to curb chronic health issues and generate revenue for health systems WHO believes that by implementing these taxes, countries can reduce the consumption of harmful products that contribute to diseases like diabetes and some cancers. This move is seen as a critical step in addressing public health challenges Jeremy Farrar, WHO's assistant-director general of health promotion and disease prevention, emphasised the importance of these health taxes, stating, "Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have. It's time to act."The WHO's strategic plan, known as "3 by 35", targets the potential to raise $1 trillion by 2035 from this taxation policy. Such a substantial financial boost could be pivotal for countries struggling with diminishing development aid and increasing public Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that these taxes could enable governments to "adjust to the new reality" and bolster their health systems amidst shrinking development approach not only targets health improvements but also seeks to provide economic resilience for health health economist Guillermo Sandoval explained that, in practical terms, the price of a taxed product in a middle-income country could rise from $4 today to $10 by 2035, taking inflation into proposal follows evidence from countries like Colombia and South Africa, where similar taxes have successfully increased prices and reduced consumption. The initiative also suggests that such fiscal measures can be a powerful tool for health the WHO's recommendation has met opposition from industry representatives. Kate Loatman, executive director of the International Council of Beverages Associations, criticised the policy: "It's deeply concerning that the WHO continues to disregard over a decade of clear evidence showing that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages has never improved health outcomes or reduced obesity in any country." WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that these taxes could enable governments to These criticisms highlight the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of taxation as a public health Berger, senior vice president of science and research at the Distilled Spirits Council, echoed these concerns, saying, "The WHO's suggestion that raising taxes will prevent alcohol-related harm is misguided."The response from the industry suggests potential challenges in implementing WHO's proposed tax increases. The pushback from these sectors underscores the complexity of balancing economic interests with public health these criticisms, the tax initiative has garnered support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).advertisementThese organisations express readiness to assist countries wishing to adopt the tax measures. Their support is crucial in providing the necessary resources and expertise for effective nearly 140 countries have already raised tobacco taxes by over 50% between 2012 and 2022, the WHO is also exploring broader taxation measures on ultra-processed approach may face further pushback, but it underscores WHO's commitment to using fiscal policies to improve public health. The agency's efforts reflect a broader strategy to combat non-communicable diseases through innovative financial this, in April, 2025, a national consortium led by India's premier medical panel sought a health tax on foods high in fat, sugar and salt as well as stricter rules around food marketing to obesity rates rising among adolescents in India, the group led by the Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), called for urgent action to improve the food environment for young group urged a ban on selling foods high in fat, sugar and salt in canteens and near educational institutions, as provided in guidelines by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).- EndsTune InMust Watch
The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
WHO pushes countries to raise prices on sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50%
The World Health Organization (WHO) is pushing countries to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50% over the next 10 years through taxation, its strongest backing yet for taxes to help tackle chronic public health problems. The United Nations health agency said the move would help cut consumption of the products, which contribute to diseases like diabetes and some cancers, as well as raising money at a time when development aid is shrinking and public debt rising."Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have," said Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant-director general of health promotion and disease prevention and control. "It's time to act." The WHO launched the push, which it called "3 by 35" at the UN Finance for Development conference in Seville. WHO said that its tax initiative could raise $1 trillion by 2035 based on evidence from health taxes in countries such as Colombia and South Africa. The WHO has backed tobacco taxes and price rises for decades, and has called for taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks in recent years, but this is the first time it has suggested a target price rise for all three products. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the conference that the taxes could help governments "adjust to the new reality" and bolster their own health systems with the money raised. Many low and middle-income countries are coping with cuts to aid spending led by the United States, which is not attending the Seville conference. The U.S. is also in the process of withdrawing from the WHO. From $4 to $10 As an example, the initiative would mean a government in a middle-income country raising taxes on the product to push the price up from $4 today to $10 by 2035, taking into account inflation, said WHO health economist Guillermo Sandoval. Nearly 140 countries had already raised tobacco taxes and therefore prices by over 50% on average between 2012 and 2022, the WHO added. Sandoval said the WHO was also considering broader taxation recommendations, including on ultra-processed food, after the agency finalises its definition of that type of food in the coming months. But he added that the agency expected pushback from the industries involved. 'It's deeply concerning that the WHO continues to disregard over a decade of clear evidence showing that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages has never improved health outcomes or reduced obesity in any country,' said Kate Loatman, executive director of the International Council of Beverages Associations, adding that the industry was working on options to support health. 'The WHO's suggestion that raising taxes will prevent alcohol-related harm is misguided,'said Amanda Berger, senior vice president of science and research at the Distilled Spirits Council, adding that it would not prevent alcohol abuse. The tax initiative is backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and involves support for countries who want to take action.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Health
- TimesLIVE
WHO pushes countries to raise prices on sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50%
The World Health Organisation is pushing countries to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50% over the next 10 years through taxation, its strongest backing yet for taxes to help tackle chronic public health problems. The UN health agency said the move would help cut consumption of the products, which contribute to diseases like diabetes and some cancers, as well as raising money at a time when development aid is shrinking and public debt rising. 'Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have,' said Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant-director general of health promotion and disease prevention and control. 'It's time to act.' The WHO launched the push, which it is called '3 by 35" at the UN Finance for Development conference in Seville. WHO said that its tax initiative could raise $1-trillion by 2035 based on evidence from health taxes in countries such as Colombia and South Africa. The WHO has backed tobacco taxes and price rises for decades, and has called for taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks in recent years, but this is the first time it has suggested a target price rise for all three products. WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the conference the taxes could help governments 'adjust to the new reality' and bolster their own health systems with the money raised. Many low and middle-income countries are coping with cuts to aid spending led by the US, which is not attending the Seville conference. The US is also in the process of withdrawing from the WHO. FROM $4 to $10 As an example, the initiative would mean a government in a middle-income country raising taxes on the product to push the price up from $4 today to $10 by 2035, taking into account inflation, said WHO health economist Guillermo Sandoval. Nearly 140 countries had already raised tobacco taxes and therefore prices by over 50% on average between 2012 and 2022, the WHO added. Sandoval said the WHO was also considering broader taxation recommendations, including on ultra-processed food, after the agency finalises its definition of that type of food in the coming months. But he added that the agency expected pushback from the industries involved. The initiative is also backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and involves support for countries who want to take action.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
WHO push to increase sugary drinks, alcohol, tobacco prices
The World Health Organization is pushing countries to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50% over the next 10 years through taxation, its strongest backing yet for taxes to help tackle chronic public health problems. The United Nations health agency said the move would help cut consumption of the products, which contribute to diseases like diabetes and some cancers, as well as raising money at a time when development aid is shrinking and public debt rising. "Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have," said Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant-director general of health promotion and disease prevention and control. "It's time to act." The WHO launched the push, which it is called "3 by 35" at the UN Finance for Development conference in Seville. WHO said that its tax initiative could raise $US1 trillion ($NZ1.64 trillion) by 2035 based on evidence from health taxes in countries such as Colombia and South Africa. The WHO has backed tobacco taxes and price rises for decades, and has called for taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks in recent years, but this is the first time it has suggested a target price rise for all three products. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the conference that the taxes could help governments "adjust to the new reality" and bolster their own health systems with the money raised. Many low and middle-income countries are coping with cuts to aid spending led by the United States, which is not attending the Seville conference. The U.S. is also in the process of withdrawing from the WHO. FROM $4 to $10 As an example, the initiative would mean a government in a middle-income country raising taxes on the product to push the price up from $4 today to $10 by 2035, taking into account inflation, said WHO health economist Guillermo Sandoval. Nearly 140 countries had already raised tobacco taxes and therefore prices by over 50% on average between 2012 and 2022, the WHO added. Sandoval said the WHO was also considering broader taxation recommendations, including on ultra-processed food, after the agency finalises its definition of that type of food in the coming months. But he added that the agency expected pushback from the industries involved. The initiative is also backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and involves support for countries who want to take action.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
WHO urges higher taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol
The World Health Organisation is pushing countries to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50 per cent over the next 10 years through taxation. The United Nations health agency said the move would help cut consumption of the products, which contribute to diseases like diabetes and some cancers, as well as raising money at a time when development aid is shrinking and public debt rising. "Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have," said Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant-director general of health promotion and disease prevention and control. "It's time to act." The WHO launched the push, which it called "3 by 35" at the UN Finance for Development conference in Seville. It said that its tax initiative could raise $US1 trillion ($A1.5 trillion) by 2035 based on evidence from health taxes in countries such as Colombia and South Africa. The WHO has backed tobacco taxes and price rises for decades and has called for taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks in recent years but this is the first time it has suggested a target price rise for all three products. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the conference that the taxes could help governments "adjust to the new reality" and bolster their own health systems with the money raised. Many low and middle-income countries are coping with cuts to aid spending led by the United States, which is not attending the Seville conference. The US is also in the process of withdrawing from the WHO. As an example, the initiative would mean a government in a middle-income country raising taxes on the product to push the price up from $US4 today to $US10 by 2035, taking into account inflation, WHO health economist Guillermo Sandoval said. Nearly 140 countries had already raised tobacco taxes and therefore prices by more than 50 per cent on average between 2012 and 2022, the WHO added. Sandoval said the WHO was also considering broader taxation recommendations, including on ultra-processed food, after the agency finalises its definition of that type of food in the coming months. But he added that the agency expected pushback from the industries involved. The initiative is also backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and involves support for countries who want to take action. The World Health Organisation is pushing countries to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50 per cent over the next 10 years through taxation. The United Nations health agency said the move would help cut consumption of the products, which contribute to diseases like diabetes and some cancers, as well as raising money at a time when development aid is shrinking and public debt rising. "Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have," said Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant-director general of health promotion and disease prevention and control. "It's time to act." The WHO launched the push, which it called "3 by 35" at the UN Finance for Development conference in Seville. It said that its tax initiative could raise $US1 trillion ($A1.5 trillion) by 2035 based on evidence from health taxes in countries such as Colombia and South Africa. The WHO has backed tobacco taxes and price rises for decades and has called for taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks in recent years but this is the first time it has suggested a target price rise for all three products. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the conference that the taxes could help governments "adjust to the new reality" and bolster their own health systems with the money raised. Many low and middle-income countries are coping with cuts to aid spending led by the United States, which is not attending the Seville conference. The US is also in the process of withdrawing from the WHO. As an example, the initiative would mean a government in a middle-income country raising taxes on the product to push the price up from $US4 today to $US10 by 2035, taking into account inflation, WHO health economist Guillermo Sandoval said. Nearly 140 countries had already raised tobacco taxes and therefore prices by more than 50 per cent on average between 2012 and 2022, the WHO added. Sandoval said the WHO was also considering broader taxation recommendations, including on ultra-processed food, after the agency finalises its definition of that type of food in the coming months. But he added that the agency expected pushback from the industries involved. The initiative is also backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and involves support for countries who want to take action. The World Health Organisation is pushing countries to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50 per cent over the next 10 years through taxation. The United Nations health agency said the move would help cut consumption of the products, which contribute to diseases like diabetes and some cancers, as well as raising money at a time when development aid is shrinking and public debt rising. "Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have," said Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant-director general of health promotion and disease prevention and control. "It's time to act." The WHO launched the push, which it called "3 by 35" at the UN Finance for Development conference in Seville. It said that its tax initiative could raise $US1 trillion ($A1.5 trillion) by 2035 based on evidence from health taxes in countries such as Colombia and South Africa. The WHO has backed tobacco taxes and price rises for decades and has called for taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks in recent years but this is the first time it has suggested a target price rise for all three products. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the conference that the taxes could help governments "adjust to the new reality" and bolster their own health systems with the money raised. Many low and middle-income countries are coping with cuts to aid spending led by the United States, which is not attending the Seville conference. The US is also in the process of withdrawing from the WHO. As an example, the initiative would mean a government in a middle-income country raising taxes on the product to push the price up from $US4 today to $US10 by 2035, taking into account inflation, WHO health economist Guillermo Sandoval said. Nearly 140 countries had already raised tobacco taxes and therefore prices by more than 50 per cent on average between 2012 and 2022, the WHO added. Sandoval said the WHO was also considering broader taxation recommendations, including on ultra-processed food, after the agency finalises its definition of that type of food in the coming months. But he added that the agency expected pushback from the industries involved. The initiative is also backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and involves support for countries who want to take action. The World Health Organisation is pushing countries to raise the prices of sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by 50 per cent over the next 10 years through taxation. The United Nations health agency said the move would help cut consumption of the products, which contribute to diseases like diabetes and some cancers, as well as raising money at a time when development aid is shrinking and public debt rising. "Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have," said Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant-director general of health promotion and disease prevention and control. "It's time to act." The WHO launched the push, which it called "3 by 35" at the UN Finance for Development conference in Seville. It said that its tax initiative could raise $US1 trillion ($A1.5 trillion) by 2035 based on evidence from health taxes in countries such as Colombia and South Africa. The WHO has backed tobacco taxes and price rises for decades and has called for taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks in recent years but this is the first time it has suggested a target price rise for all three products. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the conference that the taxes could help governments "adjust to the new reality" and bolster their own health systems with the money raised. Many low and middle-income countries are coping with cuts to aid spending led by the United States, which is not attending the Seville conference. The US is also in the process of withdrawing from the WHO. As an example, the initiative would mean a government in a middle-income country raising taxes on the product to push the price up from $US4 today to $US10 by 2035, taking into account inflation, WHO health economist Guillermo Sandoval said. Nearly 140 countries had already raised tobacco taxes and therefore prices by more than 50 per cent on average between 2012 and 2022, the WHO added. Sandoval said the WHO was also considering broader taxation recommendations, including on ultra-processed food, after the agency finalises its definition of that type of food in the coming months. But he added that the agency expected pushback from the industries involved. The initiative is also backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and involves support for countries who want to take action.
