WHO backs SA sugary drinks tax it says will tackle diabetes and obesity
The World Health Organization says it strongly supports the Government of South Africa’s announcement to implement a tax on sugary beverages as part of its campaign to promote the health of its citizens and combat the increasing challenges of diabetes and obesity.
The tax on sugary drinks was among several health measures announced as part of the government’s 2017/18 budget.
Finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, said the tax would be implemented later this year once details have been finalized and legislation is passed.
“The World Health Organization fully supports the Government of South Africa’s commitment to implement a tax on sugary drinks as part of its ongoing drive to improve the health of its people and address the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs),” said Dr Rufaro Chatora, WHO’s representative to South Africa.
The WHO said experience from other countries that have implemented taxation of sugary drinks has demonstrated its potential to reduce consumption of sugars and raise revenues that can be used to prevent and control diabetes, obesity and other NCDs.
It pointed to additional health-related measures that were addressed as part of the 2017/18 local budget including:
- The commitment to achieve universal health coverage in line with the country’s National Development Plan;
- Increasing the excise duties for alcohol and tobacco, of between 6% and 10%;
- Plans to establish a National Health Insurance fund to, initially, improve access to maternal, ante-natal and family planning services; expand school health programmes; and improve services for people with disabilities, ageing populations and people requiring mental health services.
Read: South Africa’s sugar tax has changed – here’s when to expect it
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