The World Health Organisation on Wednesday at the UN’s pivotal sustainable development conference in Sevilla, advocated a raise in prices of health risk products to save more lives.

The UN health agency unveiled a new drive to help countries tackle chronic disease and raise vital funds by increasing taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks.

The new drive, known as the ‘3 by 35’ Initiative, urged governments to boost the real prices of these products by at least 50 per cent by 2035.

According to Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant director-general, health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have.

“They cut the consumption of harmful products and create revenue governments can reinvest in health care, education, and social protection,” said Mr Farrar.

Mr Farrar noted that noncommunicable diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes now accounted for more than three-quarters of all deaths worldwide.

He said a one-time 50 per cent price rise could prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years, while generating one trillion dollars in public revenue.

He also noted that between 2012 and 2022, nearly 140 countries raised tobacco taxes.

He added that the past raises in tobacco taxes were proof that such a change is both possible and effective.

(NAN)