- …Demands 130 per -liter tax
By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), has launched report on potential fiscal and public health effects of Sugar -Sweetened Beverages tax in Nigeria, while demanding the federal government to fully implement and increase taxation on SSBs to a minimum of N130/per-litre.
The group made this known in Abuja yesterday during the launched of the report.
Speaking at the event, the executive director CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi,explained that the increase in communicable disease cases in Nigeria correlated with the rise in consumption of SSBs, alcohol, tobacco, trans-fat, unhealthy levels of salt, and other non-nutritive diets that are injurious to the human body.
According to him, the burden of diseases in Nigeria has continued to impoverish Nigerians, saying that many spend the majority of their earnings on unhealthy diets.
He further stated that consuming unhealthy diets could lead to increased health costs.
“In a country with more than 80 per cent of her population paying for healthcare out-of-pocket, we must find a policy pathway that will effectively remove obstacles to good health and national productivity like modifiable risk factors of consumption-related diseases and other CDs (communicable diseases).
“The argument of the people who care more about their profit over public health on consumption needs doesn’t outweigh the many benefits inherent in this tax. The damages done to families and loved ones who cater for the sick are enough motivation to see the public rally around the government in doing what is right for the general public,” he added.
Olufemi also emphasized the need for a multisectoral, interdisciplinary, multiprong approach that combines policy engagement with public awareness, community mobilisation, and stakeholder consultation and engagement.
In his keynote address,Director, public health department of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. ChuKwuma Anyaike, explained that excessive intake of sugar is not good for the body. Anyaike maintained the importance of sugar control, saying that Nigeria is moving towards a doubt burden country, in the sense that non-communicable diseases are also competing with communicable diseases.
“If people do the right thing, there won’t be a need for tax, the tax is secondary to preventing manufacturers from doing the wrong thing.
And we are not interested in increasing the tax, we are interested in people doing the right thing,”he said .
Also, In his analyzing the report, Fidelis Obaniyi from the Centre for the Study of the economies of Africa (ESEA), said while the tax of N10
per litre on SSB in Nigeria is a good beginning, the tax rate must be improved to have a significant impact. “This will help to account for inflation and ensure significant reduction in affordability of SSBs
and achieve significant health gains. Should Nigeria decide to
increase the tax rate to significantly more effective rate, the model
indicates that it would significantly increase the retail price of these products, and subsequently lead to a reduction in consumption, and greater revenue generation.”
Meanwhile, the In-Country Coordinator of Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Joy Amafah, stated that GHAI,”We are hopeful that the report from this study will be useful to everyone in addressing health concerns around excessive consumption of SSBs.
“ The decision makers, advocates, consumers, and the media”.
Amafah said “We are also hopeful that findings from this simulation study will reinforce the voices of advocates calling for an upward review of the current N10/litre tax on SSBs given the health impact of SSB taxes in reducing deaths and diseases caused from excessive consumption of SSBs.
“The economic impact in generating revenues for the country that can be earmarked into the health sector, and a triple benefit of reducing the burden on the healthcare system”.
