The World Health Organization stated on Tuesday that countries should raise their taxes on alcohol and sugary drinks in order to encourage healthier habits, as only a small number of states are currently utilizing this tactic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the average tax rate on “unhealthy products” is relatively low. Increasing these taxes could potentially lead to improved health outcomes for populations.

The United Nations health agency stated that it is recommended for all sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and alcoholic beverages to be subject to excise tax.

Excise taxes are specifically aimed at certain goods and services.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2.6 million individuals die annually due to alcohol consumption, while over eight million deaths are attributed to poor dietary habits.

According to the statement, implementing a tax on alcohol and sugary drinks would decrease the number of deaths caused by them.

The statement proposes that reducing the usage of these items would not only be beneficial, but also encourage companies to create healthier alternatives.

According to the WHO, while 108 countries have taxes on SSBs, worldwide, these taxes only make up an average of 6.6% of the cost of a soda.

The World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that half of these nations also impose taxes on water, which goes against the recommendations of the United Nations agency.

According to Rudiger Krech, the director of health promotion at the WHO, implementing taxes on unhealthy products leads to improved overall health in populations. This has a beneficial impact on society, resulting in decreased illness and disability, as well as generating additional revenue for governments to fund public services.

Taxes on alcohol can also aid in reducing violence and injuries related to road traffic.

On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO), located in Geneva, issued a handbook on the management and implementation of alcohol taxes for its 194 member countries.

According to the statement, implementing minimum pricing and taxing alcohol could potentially decrease the consumption of inexpensive alcohol and result in fewer hospitalizations, deaths, traffic violations, and crimes related to drinking.

According to research, individuals who partake in frequent binge drinking typically choose to consume the most affordable types of alcohol.

Around 148 countries impose domestic excise taxes on beverages containing alcohol.

According to the World Health Organization, at least 22 countries, primarily in Europe, do not have to pay excise taxes on wine.

On a global scale, the organization stated that the average excise tax on the most popular brand of beer is 17.2%, while for the most popular brand of spirits, it is 26.5%.

The concern is that the affordability of alcoholic drinks has continuously increased over time, according to Ailan Li, assistant director-general of the WHO.

“Effective alcohol tax and pricing policies can help control the rise in affordability.”

According to the manual, the drinks industry frequently claims that alcohol taxes disproportionately affect the most economically disadvantaged individuals. However, this overlooks the “unequal negative impact for alcohol consumers in lower socioeconomic groups.”