The National Action on Sugar Reduction, NASR, has urged the federal government earmark taxes on Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) to health, to prevent Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The Coalition made this known in Abuja on a news briefing as world commemorates Global week of action for NCDs themed “Invest in NCDs today, save lives and money tomorrow”.
NASR comprises stakeholders with the shared interest in promoting healthy lifestyle by reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in Nigeria. The network advocates for specific measures to create an environment that supports healthy choices.
The Executive Director, Project PINK BLUE, a leading organisation in creating awareness on cancer, Runcie Chidebe said NCDs such as heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes are the leading cause of death worldwide with 41 million people losing their lives every year – 7 out of 10 deaths worldwide
The week-long commemoration spans from 5th -11th September 2022.
Chidebe, represented by the Programs Coordinator, PPB, Gloria Okwu, lamented that against WHO’s recommendation of less than 10 cubes of sugar a day, a study of 1000 respondents indicated that 97% consumed at least a 35cl bottle of soft drink (which contains 9 cubes of sugar) daily.
According to him, ”Nigeria is the world’s 4th highest consumer of SSBs commonly known as soft drinks. An estimated 38.6 million litres of soft drinks are sold in Nigeria annually.
“The consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) like soft drinks has been implicated in eleven cancers and there is strong evidence that being overweight or obese increases the risk of ten cancers: bowel (colorectal); gallbladder; kidney; liver; oesophagus; ovary; pancreas; prostate (advanced); post-menopausal breast and womb (endometrial).
“The 2021 edition of the International Diabetes Federation Atlas showcases the 2020-2045 Diabetes report. The total number of people living with diabetes in Nigeria rose from 3.05 million in 2011 to 3.6 million in 2021 and is projected to reach 4.94 million in 2030 and 7.98 million in 2045. Similarly, treatment of diabetes per person rose from an average cost of N60,000 in 2011 to N300,000 in 2021, and is expected rise above N500,000 in 2030 and over N1.0 million by 2045 according to the IDF.”
“We are calling on the Federal Government to foster a sustainable SSB tax and save the Nigeria health sector; create a fund for NCD prevention. Using revenue from the proposed SSB tax, a fund can be created for the prevention and control of NCDs.
“Tax from the sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) should be earmarked for the health sector and specifically for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), treatment and support,” said Comr Elijah Elijah, the Vice President, Nigerian Cancer Society.
