FG begins implementation of N10 taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce NCDs

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Federal Government says it has began the implementation of the N10 taxation per litre of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) to reduce the incidences of Non-communicable Diseases.

This was made known by Chief Superintendent of Customs, Department of Excise, Free Trade Zone and Industrial Incentives,  Dennis Ituma,at an interactive session of Policy Breakfast Meeting on SSB Tax Status yesterday in Abuja.

Ituma stated that customs has started the implementation of  taxing all companies producing SSBs since June 1st, 2022, this he said started with the sensitisation of the companies on the need for the taxation.

“The N10 per litre of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages has been implemented on June 1st by July 21st,all excise duties must have been collected and paid into the federation account.

“It should interest you that taxation on SSBs was a policy of the Federal Government in 1984 but was stopped in Jan. 2009.

“Previously both SSBs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco were all taxed until 2009 when SSBs was removed from  taxable beverages.

“Only alcoholic drinks and tobacco generates N414 billion, SSBs  will further increase the revenue generated from drinks.”

On how customs would ensure that the companies were properly taxed Ituma said the service designates resident customs officers to all factories producing SSBs who take the measurements of all daily productions.

A member of the coalition and CEO TalkHealth9ja a Public Health Physician, Dr. Las Eze called for a well defined policy framework that would support direct transfer of any money that accrues from this tax to certain health interventions.

“That is an advocacy to ensure that whatever additional revenue coming from this is channelled to diseases that may be caused by excessive consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.

“Such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, certain types of cancers, obesity and so many others.

“Also there has to be accountability and efficient utilisation of these resources. At these monies will be part of the consolidated revenue fund of the federal government which basic health care provision fund takes not less than one per cent every year.

“There has to be further push, although the primary purpose for us in pushing this tax is not for government to make more money, it’s to discourage excessive consumption of SSBs,” Eze said.

He however added that  if there was money coming additionally from it, those resources should also go into controlling  and helping to reduce the burden of  health conditions that arises from SSBs,’ that is our goal as a coalition.’

Also speaking at the meeting, Assistant Clark, House Committee on Healthcare Services, Federal House of Representatives, Jekeli Usman, commended the coalition on the success of its advocacy.

Usman assured the coalition that the National Assembly would all in its power to ensure that the funds when generated are judiciously used through its budget appropriation and oversight duties when the funds were finally released to healthcare agencies.

Meanwhile, A representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning

Musa Umar, urged the coalition to engage policy makers in the implementation of the SSBs tax fund.

Umar said it was important to get those at the high level of policy  making involved in the advocacy to get their commitment to channel the funds from the tax to health issues that resulted out of the excessive consumption of SSBs.

The meeting had in attendance high-level stakeholders including the Ministry of Health,Finance, National Assembly, Nigeria Customs, World Bank and NASR Coalition.

Peoples Daily reports that excessive consumption of SSBs is a risk factor for obesity, NCDs like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and tooth decay.

The World Health Organisation recommends a minimum of 20 per cent excise tax on SSBs.

It could be recalled that

The meeting was organised by the National Action on Sugar Reduction to proffer ways to implement tax and other interventions to reduce SSBs consumption in the country.