Stakeholders in the health sector have urged Federal Government to increase tax on Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) to 20 per cent from N10 per litre to prevent diabetes, cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity.
They stressed that the tax would reduce consumption of sugary drinks, saying the argument that the tax would lead to job loss and harm the economy was false.
At a briefing by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said: “Tax is effective in reducing consumption of SSBs in countries where they have been introduced and managed. It has helped to improve health indices while reducing environmental problems caused by indiscriminate disposal of SSB product packages.
“Interestingly, manufacturers of these unhealthy products through front and ally groups, including Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Organised Private Sector, and others have continued to blackmail the government with heavy media campaign of misinformation and threat.
“They have constantly attacked civil society groups working to ensure Nigeria institutes effective food policies to reduce diet-related diseases in the country.”
Nigeria Coordinator, Food and Nutrition Programme of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), Joy Amafah said: “We are advocating an increase on N10 per litre on SSBs to 20 per cent of the retail cost, and that the cost be passed to the consumers to discourage consumption.
“There is evidence-based data on the harmful impact of excessive consumption of SSBs that has led to rise of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). NCDs have not got the attention and resources to tackle its negative impact on Nigerians. In fact, during COVID-19, evidence shows people with NCDs were more at risk of COVID-19 than others.”