A consortium of health experts, under the banner of the National Action on Sugar Reduction Coalition (NASR), has urged the Federal Government to promptly initiate the enforcement of taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). This move, according to the coalition, serves the dual purpose of discouraging excessive consumption of sugary drinks and generating substantial revenue to bolster public health initiatives, reported Vanguard.
The NASR conveyed this appeal during a coalition meeting convened on Monday in Abuja. Dr. Adamu Alhassan Umar, the co-chair of the coalition and president of the Nigerian Cancer Society, emphasized that the consumption of SSBs constitutes a modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cancers, and heart diseases. Dr. Umar asserted that proactive measures are imperative to mitigate the harmful effects, and revenue from SSB taxes can be earmarked for the care and treatment of NCDs.
Addressing queries about the repercussions of not enforcing the SSB tax, Dr. Umar clarified that although the immediate effects of SSB consumption may not be apparent, prolonged intake leads to the onset of chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
