WHO Raises Alarm as Cheap Sugary Drinks, Alcohol Fuel Rising Cases of Deadly Diseases Among Youths

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised a fresh alarm over the dangers posed by increasingly affordable sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages, warning that low tax rates across the globe are driving a surge in noncommunicable diseases and injuries, particularly among children and young adults.

In two comprehensive global reports released recently, the United Nations health agency called on governments worldwide to significantly strengthen taxes on sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages, stressing that weak tax systems are allowing harmful products to remain cheap while health systems face mounting financial pressure from preventable diseases.

"Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have for promoting health and preventing disease," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "By increasing taxes on products like tobacco, sugary drinks, and alcohol, governments can reduce harmful consumption and unlock funds for vital health services."

The reports reveal that the combined global market for sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages generates billions of dollars in profit, fuelling widespread consumption and corporate gains. Yet governments capture only a relatively small share of this value through health-motivated taxes, leaving societies to bear the long-term health and economic costs.

According to the findings, at least 116 countries currently tax sugary drinks, many of which are sodas. However, many other high-sugar products, such as 100 per cent fruit juices, sweetened milk drinks, and ready-to-drink coffees and teas, escape taxation entirely. While 97 per cent of countries tax energy drinks, this figure has not changed since the last global report in 2023.

A separate WHO report shows that at least 167 countries levy taxes on alcoholic beverages, while 12 nations ban alcohol entirely. Despite this, alcohol has become more affordable or remained unchanged in price in most countries since 2022, as taxes fail to keep pace with inflation and income growth. Wine remains untaxed in at least 25 countries, mostly in Europe, despite clear health risks associated with its consumption.

"More affordable alcohol drives violence, injuries and disease," highlighted Dr Etienne Krug, Director of WHO's Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention. "While industry profits, the public often carries the health consequences and society the economic costs."

WHO found that across regions, tax shares on alcohol remain low with global excise share medians of 14 per cent for beer and 22.5 per cent for spirits. Sugary drink taxes are weak and poorly targeted, with the median tax accounting for only about 2 per cent of the price of a common sugary soda and often applying only to a subset of beverages, missing large parts of the market.

Furthermore, few countries adjust taxes for inflation, allowing health-harming products to become steadily more affordable over time. These concerning trends persist despite a 2022 Gallup Poll finding that the majority of people surveyed supported higher taxes on alcohol and sugary beverages.

In response, WHO is calling on countries to raise and redesign taxes as part of its new "3 by 35" initiative, which aims to increase the real prices of three products—tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks—by 2035, making them less affordable over time to help protect people's health.

Health experts say the initiative could save millions of lives globally if adopted widely, particularly in developing nations where noncommunicable diseases are on the rise. The WHO reports emphasise that without urgent action, the burden on healthcare systems will continue to grow, with young people bearing the brunt of preventable conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries linked to alcohol consumption.