According to the WHO, 2.6 million people die each year due to alcohol consumption, and more than 8 million due to the consumption of products harmful to health.
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A measure that risks being divisive. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, December 5, called on governments to increase taxes on sugary and alcoholic drinks. A press release believes that too few countries use their taxation to encourage consumers to give up habits that are harmful to health.
According to the WHO, 2.6 million people die each year due to alcohol consumption, and more than 8 million due to the consumption of products harmful to health. After studying the tax rates for this type of product, the WHO concluded that the average tax rate on “these products are bad for your health” was low, and that an increase would improve the health of the population.
According to the WHO, 108 countries impose taxes on sodas and sugary drinks, but the average tax rate represents just 6.6% of the price of a soda. Half of these countries also impose taxes on water, which is contrary to WHO recommendations. Some 148 countries impose excise duties on alcoholic beverages. “However, wine is exempt from excise taxes in at least 22 countries, most in Europe”, noted the WHO. On average, the excise tax on the best-selling beer brand is 17.2%, while that on the most popular brand of the number one selling spirit is 26.5%, the WHO said .
