The federal government has described sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax as the most effective way of reducing excessive consumption of SSBs and incidences of non-communicable diseases (NCDs
Dr Chukuma Anyaike, the director, public heath department, federal ministry of health and social welfare, said this in Abuja on Monday at the public presentation of the Simulation Study of the Potential Fiscal and Public Health Effects of SSB tax in Nigeria
Mr Anyaike defines sugar-sweetened beverages as drinks that contain natural or added sweeteners, which include various forms of sugars such as brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, and sucrose.
According to him, these drinks also include soft drinks, juices, sweetened coffee, nectars, energy drinks and flavoured dairy products.
“Frequent consumption of SSB is associated with increased incidence of dental cavities, tooth decay and obesity.
“Obesity is in turn, a risk factor for the development of type two diabetes mellitus, heart disease, stroke and hypertension, SSB consumption has also been linked to some forms of cancer
“The institution of SSB tax has been identified as the most effective way of reducing the consumption of excess sugar-sweetened beverages, consequently reducing the incidences and prevalence of NCDs.
“To this effect, government introduced a N10 per litre excise tax on all sweetened beverages in the 2021 Finance Act.
“This is a step in the right direction towards achieving the global best practice of at least 20 per cent of the final retail price on all SSB products
Peoplesmind