WHO Urges Higher Health Taxes as Reports Show Sugary Drinks and Alcohol Getting Cheaper

Overview

• Two global reports find sugary drinks became more affordable in 62 countries since 2022 and beer in 56, with similar trends for spirits in parts of Europe.
• WHO calls on governments to redesign and raise excise under its 3 by 35 campaign to lift the real prices of tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks by 2035 and cut consumption.
• Tax systems leave large gaps: at least 116 countries tax sugary drinks but many high‑sugar products escape, while 167 tax alcohol and wine remains untaxed in at least 25 countries.
• Effective rates are low and rarely indexed, with median excise shares around 2% for a common soda, 14% for beer and 22.5% for spirits, making these products increasingly affordable.
• WHO argues stronger health taxes can reduce obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancers, raise revenue—projected up to $1 trillion by 2035—and help finance strained health systems despite political pushback.