5 December 2024 – The Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (EMJH) has published a special edition examining the role of taxation in addressing the public health challenges posed by the consumption of tobacco and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Consumption of SSBs and tobacco and nicotine products increases the risk of contracting noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
NCDs are increasing in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, a trend that is being fueled by tobacco and SSB consumption. The numbers are alarming:
tobacco causes over 8 million deaths globally, with 1.3 million deaths the result of secondhand smoke
regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages increases type 2 diabetes risk by 26%.
Taxation can be used to:
support behavioural change: higher prices reduce use, especially among young people
boost revenues to fund prevention and treatment programmes
advance health equity by protecting those most at risk.
Studies show that a 10% increase in tobacco prices can reduce consumption by up to 5% in low-income countries and 4% in high income countries. A 20% tax on sugary drinks can cut consumption by as much as 20%.
This EMJH special edition examines how tax policy can drive progress towards achieving global NCD and SDG targets. It examines:
- Countries’ experience with tobacco products and SSB taxation and the challenges they face in imposing health taxes
- Countries’ experience of financing and budgeting for sugar consumption and tobacco control
- The return on investments in NCD, tobacco and SSB control
- Lessons from multisectoral approaches to health taxation
- How health taxation can support national health budgets
- Evidence informing the next steps and future vision of countries.
Link: https://www.emro.who.int/emh-journal/eastern-mediterranean-health-journal/home.html
