Civil Society urges increasing taxes on SSBs to combat diabetes, CVDs.

ISLAMABAD -- The civil society representatives on Monday urged the government to take immediate measures and progressively increase tax on all types of sugary drinks to reduce its consumption.

Speaking in a seminar titled "Reducing consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages by increasing taxes,' hosted by Sana Ullah Ghumman, General Secretary and Director Operations of Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) and was attended by representatives of civil society, media and health professionals.

Ghumman welcomed the participants and said that non communicable diseases are not only killing Pakistanis every day but also posing a significant burden on the national economy. The annual diabetes related expenditure in Pakistan increased to US dollar 2,640 million in 2021.

He said that increased consumption of sugary drinks has clear link with increased rates of diabetes. He mentioned that many countries in the region and across the globe progressively increased taxes on sugary drinks to reduce its consumption.

Munawar Hussain, Consultant at Global Health Advocacy Incubators shared that diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are increasing in the Pakistan at an alarming rates. A recent study by World Bank brought a new evidence for Pakistan which may be useful for policy makers to make evidence based changes in the policy. The study indicates that progressively increased taxes on SSBs will reduce its consumption, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases.

The study also indicates that the major impact will be on reduction of obesity and diabetes, however, the reduction in cardiovascular diseases will also be significant. Another important findings from study reflects that the average tax revenue in the first 10 years after imposing higher tax will be significantly greater than the current revenue collected through SSB taxes in...