23 February, 2017: The World Health Organization strongly supports yesterday’s announcement by the Government of South Africa to implement a tax on sugary beverages as part of the country’s campaign to promote the health of its citizens and combat the increasing challenges of diabetes and obesity.

The tax on sugary drinks was among several important health measures announced as part of the government’s 2017/18 budget.

In a speech read on 22 February 2017, South African Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan, said the tax would be implemented later this year once details were finalized and legislation is passed

 “The World Health Organization fully supports the Government of South Africa’s commitment to implement a tax on sugary drinks as part of its ongoing drive to improve the health of its people and address the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs),” says Dr Rufaro Chatora, WHO’s Representative to South Africa.

Dr Chatora adds: “By implementing a tax on sugary drinks to increase the prices of these beverages, South Africa will be taking a proactive step to reduce intake of sugars, which contribute to unhealthy weight gain and other diet-related NCDs, including diabetes.”

“South Africa’s stance on sugary drinks, and other products that impact on health, such as tobacco and alcohol, sets an example for other countries to follow. By taking such actions, South Africa is demonstrating that with political commitment and investment in health promotion that it is possible to beat back the scourge of NCDs, including diabetes and obesity.”

Dr Chatora praised related actions announced in the country’s budget, including a commitment to invest in strengthening health services, such as diabetes screening and nutrition education.

Experience from other countries that have implemented taxation of sugary drinks has demonstrated its potential to reduce consumption of sugars and raise revenues that can be used to prevent and control diabetes, obesity and other NCDs.

Dr Chatora says the cooperation between various sectors of government to implement the sugary drinks tax, including the ministries of finance and health, demonstrates the relevance of action on NCDs to many areas of society – not only health.

Other health-related measures that have been addressed as part of South Africa’s 2017/18 budget include:

•            The commitment to achieve universal health coverage in line with the country’s National Development Plan;

•            Increasing the excise duties for alcohol and tobacco, of between 6 per cent and 10 per cent;

•            Plans to establish a National Health Insurance fund to, initially, improve access to maternal, ante-natal and family planning services; expand school health programmes; and improve services for people with disabilities, ageing populations and people requiring mental health services.  

Taxation on sugary beverages is just one of a range of cost-effective measures proposed by WHO to curb the threat of NCDs, responsible for the deaths of 16 million people every year before the age of 70. Other interventions targeting obesity include nutrition labelling; marketing restrictions of unhealthy foods and beverages to kids; fruit and vegetable subsidies; physical activity policies and social marketing campaigns. WHO member states around the world, including South Africa, have committed to halt the rise of obesity and diabetes, reduce premature deaths from NCDs by 25% by 2025 and one-third by 2030, the latter target in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.