NASS expresses support for raising carbonated drinks pro-health tax

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS), has expressed support for raising carbonated drinks pro-health tax.

This was disclosed when the National Action on Sugar Reduction Coalition recently took its appeal to the National Assembly to visits the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the House Committee of Health Care Services.

The Chairman House Committee of Health Care Services, Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu and the vice chairman Hon. Dr. Samuel Adejare.

both expressed their support for the carbonated drinks tax.

Dr. Sununu further advised the coalition to urge policymakers at the Finance Committee to channel tax funds towards the National Health Insurance Authority.

Similarly,Hon Dr. Samuel Adejare emphasized the health implications of consuming carbonated drinks and sugar-sweetened beverages.

“Sugary beverages are the most significant source of added sugar in the diet and leave consumers at risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes”.

Hon. Adejare stated that the beverage industry claims of people losing their jobs “is a lie.”

Responding to beverage industry claims, he stressed that tax contributions amount to a paltry sum compared with industry profits.

He advised the coalition to extend its advocacy to the HouseCommitteeonFinance,aswellastotheSenate, with the advocacy message that more funds, including SSB tax revenue, should be allocated to healthcare services provision

The Honourable Members commended the efforts of the National Action on Sugar Reduction for their unflagging efforts, while promising to investigate the current use of tax funds.

The Coalition representatives Omei Bongos-Ikwue and Shirley Ewang commended the Honourables on their history of support to health policies in the country.

However, the coalition called for an increase to the tax because it says the tax rate is not high enough to lead to a significant reduction in consumption and make a noticeable health impact on type 2 diabetes and heart disease which are caused by drinking sugary beverages.

During the visit, the coalition presented the House Members with copies of an open letter calling on the Minister of Finance to increase the current 10 naira per litre excise tax to 20% of the final retail price in the 2022 Finance Act.

“Nigerian Customs Service has been collecting since July 2022.”