According to WHO, children and youth are particularly at risk, with rising cases of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and various types of cancer observed among them.
The organization urges governments worldwide to tighten tax policies regarding sugary drinks and alcoholic products. WHO emphasizes that low levels of tax regulation allow harmful products to remain accessible.
“Although the market for sugary and alcoholic beverages generates huge revenues, states receive only a small share of these funds. Taxes on sugary drinks are in effect in at least 116 countries; however, many high-sugar products, such as fruit juices and milkshakes, remain untaxed. Taxes on energy drinks are applied in 97 percent of countries, and this figure has not changed since 2023,” reports the UN News Service, citing WHO data.
The report also indicates that alcohol taxes are applied in 167 countries, while in 12 states, the sale of alcohol is completely prohibited.
Nevertheless, since 2022, alcohol has become either more accessible or maintained its previous prices in most countries because tax rates have not kept pace with inflation and income growth. In some countries, at least 25, wine is not subject to additional taxes.
Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department of Health Metrics, emphasized that the availability of alcohol contributes to increased violence, injuries, and diseases.
WHO notes that, on average, alcohol excise taxes worldwide remain low: 14 percent for beer and 22.5 percent for spirits. Taxes on sugary drinks are also low, averaging only about two percent of the price of regular soda, usually covering only a limited list of products. Furthermore, only a few countries adjust tax rates for inflation, which contributes to the accessibility of harmful products. WHO calls for a review of tax policy in this regard.
It is worth noting that in Kyrgyzstan, excise tax rates on alcohol will be increased starting in 2026.
