The World Health Organization, (WHO), has warned that the growing affordability of alcoholic and sugar-sweetened beverages driven by low or stagnant taxes is fuelling increased consumption, particularly among young people, with serious consequences for public health and national economies.
According to the WHO, rising consumption of these products is contributing to a surge in obesity, diabetes, cancers, injuries, and other noncommunicable diseases, placing an increasing burden on health systems worldwide while driving up long-term economic costs.
These concerns are detailed in two new WHO reports that examine global trends in the taxation of alcoholic and sugar-sweetened beverages. The reports highlight significant policy gaps and missed opportunities, noting that many countries have failed to adjust taxes in line with inflation and income growth, effectively making these harmful products more affordable over time.
To draw attention to the findings and encourage policy action, the WHO, in collaboration with the NCD Alliance, is hosting a virtual event to officially launch the reports today, January 13, 2026.
The event will bring together leading health and economic experts, as well as country representatives, to discuss the evidence behind health taxes, why taxation is an effective tool for reducing consumption, and how governments can implement stronger fiscal policies to protect public health.
