By Abujah Racheal
The National Action on Sugar Reduction Coalition (NASR) has advocated higher sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax to meet global standards and improve indices in Nigeria healthcare.
Dr Adamu Alhassan Umar, President of the Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS), said this on Wednesday in Abuja, when stakeholders convened to discuss strategies for sustaining and increasing SSBs in Nigeria.
Umar, who is also a co-chair of NASR, said that the coalition was advocating for a 20 per cent tax increase on SSBs, with the additional revenue earmarked to alleviate the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the healthcare sector.
“NCDs, which account for 30 per cent of deaths in Nigeria, present a significant economic burden.
“The high consumption of SSBs contributes to costly treatments, lost income, and reduced productivity, pushing millions into poverty and hindering national development,” he said.
He said that increasing SSB taxes was seen as a crucial measure for promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the prevalence of NCDs such as cancer, type two diabetes, heart disease, and kidney failure.
He emphasised the urgent need for this policy change, stating, “There remains huge gaps in health financing.
“In Nigeria, poor and vulnerable populations cannot afford the high cost of managing NCDs, yet they are the ones who often depend on SSBs for sustenance.”
According to him, the coalition argues that higher SSB taxes will benefit both public health and the economy.
“A tax rate that raises the price of sugary beverages by at least 20 per cent of the final retail price is deemed necessary to significantly reduce consumption and improve public health outcomes.
“Currently, Nigeria’s excise tax on sweetened beverages falls short of the World Health Organization’s standards for effective health impact,” he said.
He said that NASR aimed to alleviate the strain on healthcare systems and enhance the well-being of Nigerian citizens.
Health experts warn that sugary drinks are a major contributor to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.
Over-consumption of sugar, particularly from sugary drinks, significantly increases these health risks.
In the current food environment, it is easy to consume excessive amounts of sugar.
Sugary drinks are a major source of sugar in the diet, with consumption increasing, especially among children and adolescents.
On the average, a single can of a sugary drink contains around 40 grams of free sugars, equivalent to about 10 teaspoons of table sugar.
The WHO guidelines recommend that to prevent obesity and tooth decay, adults and children should reduce their consumption of free sugars to less than 10 per cent of their daily energy intake, which is roughly 12 teaspoons of table sugar for adults.
For additional health benefits, the guidelines suggest further reducing intake to below five of daily energy intake, or about six teaspoons of table sugar for adults.
