Overview
- New WHO reports find that from 2022 to 2024 sugar‑sweetened drinks became more affordable in 62 countries and beer in 56 countries.
- The agency’s “3 by 35” campaign calls for taxes that lift prices on sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco by about 50% over the next decade, projecting roughly $1 trillion in revenue by 2035.
- Tax design is pivoting to sugar‑gram tiers, with the UAE introducing bands of 0, 0.79 and 1.09 AED per liter tied to <5g, 5–<8g and ≥8g sugar per 100ml, and the UK set to tighten thresholds and remove milk‑drink exemptions in 2028.
- Global coverage remains uneven as 116 countries tax some sugary beverages while many high‑sugar products remain untaxed and at least 25 countries, mainly in Europe, levy no excise on wine.
- Investors are watching as companies report rising low‑ and zero‑sugar sales, and research on U.S. city soda taxes shows reduced consumption.