FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Imo State Commissioner for Health, Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare Management, Professor Chukwuemeka Ubaka has called for a significant increase in the tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, SSBs, as a measure to curb rising cases of diabetes and other Non-Communicable Diseases, NCDs, in the country.
Ubaka made the call on Tuesday while delivering the Annual Lecture Series of the Dora Akunyili College of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.
In his lecture entitled ‘Sip Smart, Live Long: Why Taxing Sugary Drinks Makes Sense,’ the pharmacist emphasised that excessive sugar consumption is fueling health crisis, thereby pushing millions of Africans into poverty due to the escalating cost of healthcare management.
“Africa has the highest prevalence and incidence of NCDs globally and Nigeria remains the largest consumer of sugar-sweetened beverages in Africa.
“We cannot afford to ignore the link between excessive sugar intake and diseases like diabetes, stroke, heart diseases and cancer,” he said.
The commissioner described the N10 per litre SSB tax on sweetened beverages under the Finance Act of 2021 as an insufficient measure to drive meaningful change.
Instead, he advocated a 20 percent advalorem tax, which would be based on the value of the beverage, rather than just its volume.
“Global evidence has shown that SSB taxes work. Countries with stronger sugar taxes have recorded reduction in obesity and sugar-related illnesses by as much as 50–70 percent,” he added.
Ubaka, however, debunked misconceptions that SSB taxation would harm low-income households.
According to him, the policy is progressive because poorer communities, that are more vulnerable to NCDs, would benefit most from reduced consumption, even as he urged government to ensure transparency in the use of SSB tax revenue.
He said funds should be earmarked for public health programmes, awareness campaigns and industry incentives to promote healthier beverage options.
Earlier in his opening remark, Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Lawrence Ezemonye highlighted the vital role of pharmacy on improved health, safety and well-being of the people.
Ezemonye said the topic was chosen to interrogate the strategies for improving public health, reducing healthcare costs and generating revenue for government.
The vice chancellor recounted the achievements of the university’s college of pharmacy in research and innovation, asserting that it had produced graduates doing well in various fields.
