Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

WHO Asks Nations To Increase Taxes On Sugary Drinks To Reduce Diseases

The <span>World Health Organization</span> is asking countries across the world to increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol to reduce cases of chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease and fatty liver.

In a January 13 virtual conference, WHO Director-General Dr <span>Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus</span> <a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166754" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">said</a>: "Health taxes have been shown to reduce consumption of these harmful products, helping to prevent disease and reduce the burden on health systems. 

"At the same time, they generate an income stream that governments can use to invest in health, education and social protection."

According to a recent report on sugar-sweetened beverages taxes, at least 116 countries tax sugary drinks, including sodas or carbonated canned drinks, but other high-sugar products, such as 100 per cent fruit juices, sweetened milk drinks and ready-to-drink coffees and teas, escape taxation.

Additionally, another report on alcohol taxes shows that even though 167 countries levy taxes on liquor, wine and beer, alcohol has become more affordable or remained unchanged in price in most countries since 2022, as taxes do not get adjusted for inflation and income growth.

<h2>How Will A Tax Increase on Drinks Help?</h2>Regularly consuming beverages filled with added <span>sugar</span> or preservatives can pave the way for the development of weight gain, inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction, despite regularly working out and eating a balanced diet. 

Apart from increasing the risk for diabetes and heart disease, sugary drinks can also worsen the risk for dental problems, gout, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and potential kidney/bone issues. 

Due to being cheap for consumption, the harmful products are generating billions of dollars in profit for countries and corporations, alike. 

However, health systems across the globe are facing mounting financial pressure from preventable noncommunicable diseases and injuries and an increase an taxes will help curb these costs , the WHO said. 

Moreover, high tax rates will discourage consumers from buying such drinks and causing long-term damage to their body. 

<h2>Has This Approach Ever Been Successful?</h2>

Yes, the WHO noted that when the UK implemented a tax on sugary drinks in 2018, the country saw a overall reduced sugar consumption, £338 million revenue increase in 2024 and a lower obesity rates in girls aged 10 and 11, especially in deprived communities. 

<h2>Are Sugary Drinks Only To Blame?</h2>Common preservatives added to foods to prevent spoilage and increase shelf life<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/could-food-preservatives-be-fueling-cancer-and-type-2-diabetes-what-studies-suggest-article-153421025" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank"> may also be linked to a higher risk </a> of several cancers and Type 2 diabetes, according to two new studies from France.

“These are very important findings for preservatives that are not only widely used in the French and European markets, but also in the United States,” said senior author Mathilde Touvier, principal investigator of the NutriNet-Santé study used for the research, as per CTV News. 

The cancer-focused study, published in The <span>BMJ</span>, examined the effects of 58 preservatives among nearly 105,000 people who were cancer-free in 2009 and followed for up to 14 years.

<span>Sodium</span> nitrite, commonly used in processed meats such as bacon, ham, and deli meats, was linked to a 32 percent higher risk of prostate cancer. Potassium nitrate was associated with a 22 percent increased risk of breast cancer and a 13 percent rise in overall cancer risk, results showed.

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The World Health Organization is asking countries across the world to increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol to reduce cases of chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease and fatty liver.In a January 13 virtual conference, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: "Health taxes have been shown to reduce consumption of these harmful products, helping to prevent disease and reduce the burden on health systems. "At the same time, they generate an income stream that governments can use to invest in health, education and social protection."According to a recent report on sugar-sweetened beverages taxes, at least 116 countries tax sugary drinks, including sodas or carbonated canned drinks, but other high-sugar products, such as 100 per cent fruit juices, sweetened milk drinks and ready-to-drink coffees and teas, escape taxation.Additionally, another report on alcohol taxes shows that even though 167 countries levy taxes on liquor, wine and beer, alcohol has become more affordable or remained unchanged in price in most countries since 2022, as taxes do not get adjusted for inflation and income growth.How Will A Tax Increase on Drinks Help?Regularly consuming beverages filled with added sugar or preservatives can pave the way for the development of weight gain, inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction, despite regularly working out and eating a balanced diet. Apart from increasing the risk for diabetes and heart disease, sugary drinks can also worsen the risk for dental problems, gout, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and potential kidney/bone issues. Due to being cheap for consumption, the harmful products are generating billions of dollars in profit for countries and corporations, alike. However, health systems across the globe are facing mounting financial pressure from preventable noncommunicable diseases and injuries and an increase an taxes will help curb these costs , the WHO said. Moreover, high tax rates will discourage consumers from buying such drinks and causing long-term damage to their body. Has This Approach Ever Been Successful?Yes, the WHO noted that when the UK implemented a tax on sugary drinks in 2018, the country saw a overall reduced sugar consumption, £338 million revenue increase in 2024 and a lower obesity rates in girls aged 10 and 11, especially in deprived communities. Are Sugary Drinks Only To Blame?Common preservatives added to foods to prevent spoilage and increase shelf life may also be linked to a higher risk  of several cancers and Type 2 diabetes, according to two new studies from France.“These are very important findings for preservatives that are not only widely used in the French and European markets, but also in the United States,” said senior author Mathilde Touvier, principal investigator of the NutriNet-Santé study used for the research, as per CTV News. The cancer-focused study, published in The BMJ, examined the effects of 58 preservatives among nearly 105,000 people who were cancer-free in 2009 and followed for up to 14 years.Sodium nitrite, commonly used in processed meats such as bacon, ham, and deli meats, was linked to a 32 percent higher risk of prostate cancer. Potassium nitrate was associated with a 22 percent increased risk of breast cancer and a 13 percent rise in overall cancer risk, results showed.