Public health expert, Dr. Francis Fagbule has urged the Nigerian government to raise the 2021 sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax considerably in order to reduce habitual use and address growing health problems.
This was disclosed Fagbule on Thursday, according to Arise News.
He emphasized the urgent necessity for this action due to the serious health risks linked to sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and even certain types of cancer which he said are rich in calories but low in nutritional value.
Fagbule stated, “The government should increase the 2021 SSB tax such that it would lead to a reduction in consumption because currently, we are not having it.
“SSBs contain a high level of calories and do not add to the nutrition in your body. From evidence, they contribute significantly to adverse health effects.”
Pointing out that these beverages’ low cost is a significant contributing element to their widespread usage in Nigeria’s lower and middle classes, he noted, “Statistics show that those in the low economy compared with those in the high class have the same level of consumption, which means that everybody can afford it. This widespread affordability exacerbates the health crisis, particularly among poorer populations who may struggle to afford medical treatments for conditions caused by excessive SSB consumption.”
Fagbule also addressed the false claims made by the beverage sector that higher taxes would result in job losses.
“When they say people are going to lose their jobs, ask them how many people they even employ. Retailers are not tied to a product. The argument on the basis that people will lose their jobs are the usual cries, but the government has a duty,” he asserted.
He further said, “N10 per liter means that an average bottle of soft drinks 50cl is half a liter, currently that goes for around N400, so if it’s N10 per liter, it means that on that 50cl bottle, you are adding N5. What is the significant effect of adding N5 on N400?” he questioned, underscoring the need for a more impactful tax increase.
Additionally, Fagbule demanded that the government reinsert the SSB tax money into the economy, especially for public health programs.
“What we need to emphasise to the government is that whatever they are getting from this taxation should be ploughed back into the economy because that will be the indication that they are interested in the health of the people,” he said.
He restated how the SSB tax works to discourage regular consumption of sugar-filled beverages.
“The single most effective way is the SSB tax. We are not saying people should stop taking SSBs. What we are saying is that they should be discouraged from habitual consumption,” he affirmed.
