WHO: Raise prices on harmful goods to fight chronic diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries around the world to raise prices on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50 percent by the year 2035. This announcement was published on the organization’s official website.

According to the WHO, the primary aim of the initiative is to reduce chronic diseases, generate additional funding for national health systems, and safeguard public health.

The organization states that these harmful products are major contributors to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes—conditions that collectively account for over 75 percent of global deaths.

WHO estimates suggest that if the prices of these harmful products were increased by 50 percent, as many as 50 million lives could be saved over the next 50 years.

“Health-oriented taxes are one of our most effective tools,” the report notes. “They reduce the consumption of harmful products and allow governments to invest in health, education, and social protection. Now is the time to act.”

The WHO also highlighted that between 2012 and 2022, more than 140 countries implemented tax increases on tobacco products, leading to a real price increase of over 50 percent on average. Countries such as Colombia and South Africa have reportedly generated substantial health revenues while curbing consumption of harmful products.

It is worth noting that global smoking rates have fallen by 33 percent since the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control came into force.