Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the government to incorporate an increase in the tax on sugary drinks into the 2024 Finance Act. Despite the existing tax aimed at discouraging the consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs), CAPPA expressed concern that public health issues persist, indicating that consumption rates remain unchanged.
During the public presentation of the simulation study on the “Potential Fiscal and Public Health Effects of SSB Tax in Nigeria,” Akinbode Oluwaterni, Executive Director of CAPPA, stressed that raising the tax would not only safeguard the health of Nigerians but also enhance government revenue, earmarked for crucial sectors requiring attention.
According to the report, Nigeria ranks as the fourth highest consumer of SSBs globally, with teenagers aged 15-19 exhibiting the highest consumption rates, primarily favoring carbonated drinks. Furthermore, the report highlighted evidence from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicating high rates of overweight, obesity, and diabetes in the Nigerian population.
Oluwaterni justified the urgency of increasing the SSB tax, despite prevailing economic challenges, stating, “During economic crises, nations often raise taxes on non-essential products. For SSBs, the issue at hand is public health and the significant economic cost of excessive consumption.”
He emphasized the need to break the cycle of disease burden and poverty in Nigeria caused by unhealthy dietary practices. He called for policy interventions to remove barriers to good health and national productivity, addressing modifiable risk factors associated with consumption-related diseases and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
During the presentation, Chukwuma Anyaike, Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, underscored the importance of taxation in deterring SSB consumption. However, he emphasized the Ministry’s focus on promoting lifestyle and behavioral changes through education and awareness campaigns.
Anyaike cautioned that Nigeria is approaching a scenario where NCDs may surpass communicable diseases, with SSBs contributing significantly to this trend. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to prioritizing primary prevention efforts while remaining vigilant in safeguarding the nation’s health.
