The proposed excise scale will be as follows:
- up to 5 g of sugar per 100 ml — 5 soms per liter;
- 5–8 g — 7 soms per liter;
- 8–11 g — 9 soms per liter;
- over 11 g — 11 soms per liter.
Additionally, it is planned to introduce an excise tax of 20 soms per liter on energy drinks, considering their high sugar and caffeine content, as well as their potential impact on adolescent health.
An excise tax is also proposed for salty snacks, particularly chips and salted crackers. The tax amount will depend on the salt content: from a zero rate for up to 1.2 g of salt per 100 g of product to 20 soms per 100 g for more than 2.5 g.
During the meeting, the possible consequences of the new system for public health and the economy were discussed, and representatives of business associations expressed their comments and suggestions.
The Ministry of Health noted that this initiative is part of a long-term strategy to combat non-communicable diseases. The proposed measures have received support from experts at the World Health Organization and UNICEF. As noted by WHO representative Alina Altymyshova, similar excise mechanisms are already being implemented in 116 countries to reduce the consumption of products with high levels of sugar and salt.
Deputy Minister of Health Temirbek Erkinov emphasized that nutrition issues and related diseases are becoming a serious problem for the healthcare system. According to the National Statistical Committee for 2023, about 9% of children in Kyrgyzstan suffer from overweight, while 78% regularly consume sweet drinks, and 75% of children aged 6 to 23 months receive unhealthy food.
"There are more than 84,000 patients with diabetes in the country, and this number increases by 5,000 to 7,000 each year. The costs for hemodialysis exceed 2 billion soms per year," added Erkinov.
Reducing sugar and salt consumption is a key element in disease prevention and protecting public health, the Ministry of Health emphasized.
All funds received from the new excise taxes will be directed to the state budget, with a similar amount of funding for disease prevention programs and the development of the healthcare system.
The Ministry of Health plans to continue consultations with government agencies, the business community, and international partners to finalize decisions on this initiative.
The report on the Ministry of Health's proposal to increase excise taxes on sweet drinks and salty products in Kyrgyzstan first appeared on K-News.
