The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Nigeria and other member states to significantly raise taxes on sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco products—by at least 50 percent over the next decade—as part of a bold global strategy to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and boost public health funding.
In a statement released on its website, WHO stated that the tax hike is a central pillar of its new “3 by 35 Initiative,” which aims to increase the real prices of the three harmful products by at least 50% by the year 2035.
The global health body said such measures are crucial to curbing the rising burden of NCDs like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, which now account for more than 75% of deaths worldwide.
“Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have,” said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control.
“They cut the consumption of harmful products and create revenue governments can reinvest in health care, education, and social protection. It’s time to act.”
The initiative comes at a time of growing global concern over the economic and health strain posed by NCDs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries grappling with shrinking development aid and rising debt.
WHO estimates that a one-time 50% price increase on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks could prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years, while generating up to $1 trillion in revenue globally within the next decade.
Between 2012 and 2022, nearly 140 countries raised tobacco taxes, leading to an average 50% price increase—evidence, WHO says, that large-scale change is possible.
Countries like Colombia and South Africa have already seen success by adopting such health taxes, reducing harmful consumption while increasing government revenue.
The “3 by 35” Initiative encourages governments to take a three-pronged approach:
1. Cut Harmful Consumption: Introduce or raise excise taxes on sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco to reduce their affordability and long-term health impacts.
2. Mobilise Domestic Resources: Channel revenue into essential services like universal healthcare, education, and social protection.
3. Build Political Consensus: Engage ministries of finance and health, civil society, lawmakers, and academics to ensure broad support for health-focused taxation policies.
In Nigeria, the National Sugar Tax Coalition has backed WHO’s recommendations, urging the government to act on findings from a simulation study which concluded that raising the sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax from the current ₦10 per litre to ₦130 per litre could prevent thousands of diet-related illnesses and deaths.
WHO concluded by urging all governments, development partners, and civil society to commit to the “3 by 35” Initiative, which it says is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building more resilient, self-reliant health systems.
Reporting by Funmi Adeoye