Overview
- Two WHO reports released Jan. 13 find sugary drinks became more affordable in 62 countries and beer in 56 between 2022 and 2024.
- WHO’s ‘3 by 35’ push urges countries to use taxation to lift real prices of tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks by 50% by 2035, with the agency projecting up to $1 trillion in revenue by then.
- At least 116 countries tax sugary drinks and 167 tax alcohol, yet exemptions, low rates and failure to adjust for inflation keep many products cheap; 12 countries prohibit alcohol entirely.
- European data show beer grew more affordable in 11 EU countries and spirits in 17, while 14 EU states do not tax wine, even as EU institutions recently backed measures to support the wine sector and dropped a proposed alcopops tax.
- WHO officials say well-designed health taxes cut consumption and fund care but face political resistance and industry lobbying, citing examples from the Philippines, Britain, Lithuania, Colombia and South Africa.