America News Agency

The WHO has launched a new program encouraging countries to implement consumption taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks to raise their real prices by at least 50% by 2035.

The aim of increasing taxation is to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases and to generate crucial public revenue to offset rising healthcare costs.

Health systems globally are under increasing pressure due to the spread of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), declining development aid, and growing public debt.

The plan highlights that the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks fuels the epidemic of chronic diseases—such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes—which account for more than 75% of global deaths. A new report shows that a temporary 50% price increase on these products could prevent up to 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years.

WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion and Prevention, Dr. Jeremy Farrar, stated, “Health taxes are one of the most powerful tools we have to improve public health. They reduce harmful product consumption and provide governments with revenues to fund healthcare, education, and social protection. The time to act is now.”