Sugar, Sugar: World Health Organization Wants Countries to Tax Sugary Drinks

Citing a “global increase” in obesity and diabetes rates, the World Health Organization on Tuesday recommended a worldwide tax on sugary drinks.

In its 36-page report, the WHO presented specific data to support the idea that taxing sugary beverages, including sodas, can help fight obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. The agency is urging all countries to begin implementing a sugary drinks tax of at least 20 percent, saying this will lead to reduced sales and consumption of such beverages. 

“If governments tax products like sugary drinks, they can reduce suffering and save lives,” Dr. Douglas Bettcher, director of the WHO’s Department for the Prevention of Non Communicable Diseases, said in a statement. “They can also cut healthcare costs and increase revenues to invest in health services.”1

Worldwide, obesity rates have more than doubled since 1980, the agency said. In 2014, more than half a billion adults (11 percent of men and 15 percent of women) were obese. In addition, according to the WHO, people with diabetes have increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014.2

So, how much sugar is too much? 

“Nutritionally, people don’t need any sugar in their diet,” said Dr. Francesco Branca, Director of WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development. “WHO recommends that if people do consume free sugars, they keep their intake below 10 percent of their total energy needs, and reduce it to less than 5 percent for additional health benefits. This is equivalent to less than a single serving (at least 250 ml) of commonly consumed sugary drinks per day.”3

Controversy surrounding sugar – specifically, how much of it is in beverages – continues to prompt tighter fiscal regulations worldwide. 

In August, the UK announced a sugar tax on certain sweetened drinks, with Chancellor George Osborne citing concerns about rising obesity rates among children. The tax goes into effect in September of 2017 – enough time, according to Osborne, for companies to reduce the sugar amounts in their drinks.4 Other countries, including Mexico and Hungary, already have such tax measures in place. 

In the U.S., taxes are being implemented in several major cities, including Philadelphia and Berkeley, Calif. 

On Tuesday, the International Council of Beverages Associations issued a response to the WHO’s sugar tax recommendation and the technical committee report, calling it “discriminatory.” In the statement, the ICBA said:

We strongly disagree with the committee’s recommendation to tax beverages, as it is an unproven idea that has not been shown to improve public health based on global experiences to date. While we support WHO’s efforts to address obesity, we believe a comprehensive approach including emphasis on the whole diet is necessary to achieve a real and lasting solution.5

Will additional countries worldwide act on the World Health Organization’s recommendation? Given the billions of dollars at stake, expect the sugary drinks tax issue to continue to be controversial in the years to come.

Citations:

1. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/curtail-sugary-drinks/en/
2. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/curtail-sugary-drinks/en/
3. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/curtail-sugary-drinks/en/
4. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/budget-2016-george-osborne-announces-sugar-tax-a6934206.html
5. http://www.icba-net.org/news-events/news/details/18/