By Aderogba George
The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR), a coalition, has said that the current tax rate of N10 per litre on Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) falls below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.
Spokesperson of the coalition, Omei Bongos, stated this in a statement to commemorate the inauguration of the powerful Public Service Announcement (PSA) of the coalition.
The statement was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.
She called on government to increase the tax on SSB, saying such move would reduce the rate of consumption, and help to combat the rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the country.
She said that PSA was aimed to educate Nigerians about the harmful effects of consuming these drinks, which are major contributors to obesity and other non-communicable diseases.
According to her, more than 11 million Nigerians are suffering from type 2 diabetes and are struggling to afford necessary medication.
She said that this campaign highlights the urgent need for policy makers to take action.
“Consumption of SSB is not just a personal choice; it has far-reaching consequences on public health. By increasing the SSB tax, we can reduce consumption and ultimately save lives.
“Nigeria is currently one of the largest consumers of soft drinks in Africa and ranks seventh globally.
“The current tax rate of N10 per litre falls below WHO recommendations and is ineffective in curbing consumption.
“This PSA serves as a call-to-action for government officials to prioritize public health by implementing policies that will protect citizens from preventable diseases associated with excessive sugar intake.
“NASR is a coalition of health organisations dedicated to advocating for pro-health policies aimed at reducing consumption of sugar sweetened beverages in order to improve public health outcomes in Nigeria,” she stressed. (NAN)
