The National Action on Sugar Reduction, a coalition of public health organisations has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the proposed “pro-health” tax increase on soft drinks in the 2022 budget.
Coalition Co-chair and Secretary General of the Diabetes Association Bernard Enyia, and Co-Chair and Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch Vivianne Ihekweazu, gave the commendation in a statement they jointly signed in Abuja.
They also noted that the proposed tax policy as announced by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, in her budget breakdown, would boost non-communicable diseases prevention in Nigeria.
The Minister during the Public Presentation and Breakdown of the Highlights of the 2022 Appropriation Bill said the government would increase excise duties on carbonated drinks.
The statement noted that the Coalition is advocating for health and fiscal policy measures to combat the devastating impact of Non-Communicable Diseases, NCDs in the country.
It added that the possible increase in soft drink taxes aligns with the recently updated National NCDs Policy and Multisectoral Action Plan for the Control and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases in Nigeria.
