World Diabetes Day: NASR advocates for 20% tax increase on sugar sweetened beverages

As Nigeria join the rest of the world to commemorate World Diabetes Day, the National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR), is advocating for 20% tax increase on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in the country.

The price increase, according to them, will discourage and reduce consumption of carbonated sweetened beverages which is contributory to the scourge of diabetes in Nigeria.

Recall, that the federal government commenced the implementation of the SSB tax, embedded in the 2021 Finance Act, which levies N10 tax on each litre of all non-alcoholic and sweetened beverages.

The NASR in a press conference on Monday in Abuja, posited that the current N10 per litre is unlikely to raise SSB prices by a margin high enough to discourage the purchase of sugary drinks.

They said prevention is key to tackling the high prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria, hence the need for reduction of sugar intake by individuals.

Speaking on behalf of NASR, Gloria Chinyere Okwu, recommends that for more substantial health effects, the SSB rate should be increased to at least N30 per litre, to make it difficult for an average Nigerian to purchase.

She said “The SSB tax will discourage consumption by raising the prises of SSBs.

“SSBs taxes also create a “signalling effect,” meaning that the introduction of the tax can “convey information about the health risks of consuming SSBs.” When people wonder why a tax has been introduced, they can seek and gain further information about the harmful effects of consuming SSBs.

“Another potential benefit of the SSB tax is that revenue can be directed towards the provision of healthcare to serve impoverished Nigerians living with diabetes”.

On her part, Medical expert, Prof Felicia Anumah, pointed out that about six million Nigerians are living with diabetes.

According to her, with the current situation of the country’s health system, the cheapest option Nigerians have to address this scourge, is prevention and not treatment.

Prof Anumah also noted that aging, over weight, family history and eating habits are risk factors to diabetes.

She adviced individuals to be conscious of their eating habits and consume only healthy diets. She also stressed the need for regular exercises.

“How do we prevent? It is by empowering people to know the risks factor and what to do to prevent this disease. The truth is, majority of diabetes cases we are talking about is type 2 diabetes and 90 percent of diabetes patients is type 2 and it is preventable.

“We need to empower, educate even healthcare professionals to be able to offer quality diagnosis care to our patients.

“We also need early screening because diabetes, when it dangerous, is that it can be there and you don’t know.

“People who have diabetes already, 90 percent of the time, they are taking care of themselves. They also need empowerment, so that they can be in charge of this disease rather than the other way round.

The medical expert also urged government to put in place policies and support that will reduce the suffering of diabetic patients in Nigeria.

The World Diabetes Day is marked November 14 every year. The day provides opportunity to raise awareness of diabetes as a global health issue and educate the people about what needs to be done for better prevention, diagnosis and management.

The theme of this year’s commemoration is ‘Education to promote tomorrow’.