FG urged to impose special tax on sugary drinks
The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR), a coalition of non-governmental organisations, has urged the federal government to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to tackle the health crises.
This is contained in a statement signed by Omei Bongos-Ikwue, the coalition representative, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ms Bongos-Ikwue, non-communicable diseases like Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease are rising in Nigeria.
She stated that the link between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and NCDs had been well established.
“The NASR thus seeks policies to decrease consumption and reduce related risk factors, such as obesity,” noted Ms Bongos-Ikwue. “The Federal Ministry of Finance has stated the need to explore alternative revenue sources, and Federal Ministry of Health considers NCD prevention a national priority, this could be an opportunity.”
Ms Bongos-Ikwue mentioned that NASR was stepping up efforts to seek a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and engaging in further awareness creation efforts to tackle the rising prevalence of NCDs.
“The coalition specifically called on the Minister of Finance to introduce an excise duty of 20 per cent on sugar-sweetened beverages such as carbonated sugary drinks and energy drinks,” said the coalition’s statement. “Create a fund for the prevention and control of NCDs associated with the excessive consumption of sugar-linked diseases such as type II diabetes. Financing for this fund will come from the revenue obtained from the taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages.”
The coalition also wants the federal government to ensure that sugar-sweetened beverages carry “front-of-packaging labels” with nutritional information warning consumers of the product’s sugar content and “the health risks of excessively consuming these drinks.’’
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Olubadan lauds Tinubu on release of Oriire kidnap victims, urges rehabilitation
“As a follow-up to this development, the government must ensure that all communities bordering the National Park are fully secure,” he said.
Heading 1
Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge over father’s assassination by U.S.-Israeli forces
“We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers,” he said.
Heading 4
Trump administration subpoenas New York Times journalists over Air Force One story
The subpoenas seek to compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan.
Heading 2
Klopp agrees to replace Nagelsmann as Germany coach
Nagelsmann resigned last week as the men’s national team coach following Germany’s shocking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Health
FG expands cancer funding, local drug production
“We are trying to domesticate expensive treatments by producing much-needed medicines locally and translating global research into action in our clinics,” he said.
Heading 3
Remi Tinubu begs Asake, Davido, Burna Boy to come rescue poor Nigerians from hunger
The first lady stated that buying exotic cars is good, but noted that the singers can still establish foundations to assist the struggling population.
