WHO makes a daring attempt to increase health taxes to save lives

In an effort to reduce chronic diseases and raise vital public funds, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is calling on nations to implement health taxes that would increase the real prices of alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035.

The “3 by 35” Initiative comes at a time when, according to the WHO, health systems are under enormous strain from rising noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), shrinking development aid and growing public debt.

The consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks are fuelling the NCD epidemic. NCDs, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, account for over 75% of all deaths worldwide. A recent report shows that a one-time 50% price increase on these products could prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years.

“Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have,” said Dr Jeremy Farrar, assistant director-general, health promotion and disease prevention and control, WHO. “They cut the consumption of harmful products and create revenue governments can reinvest in health care, education, and social protection. It’s time to act.”

The Initiative has an ambitious goal of raising US$1 trillion over the next 10 years. Between 2012 and 2022, nearly 140 countries raised tobacco taxes, which resulted in an increase of real prices by over 50% on average, showing that large-scale change is possible.

The WHO says that from Colombia to South Africa, governments that have introduced health taxes have seen reduced consumption and increased revenue. Yet many countries continue to provide tax incentives to unhealthy industries, including tobacco. It argues that long-term investment agreements with industry that restrict tobacco tax increases can further undermine national health goals. WHO encourages governments to review and avoid such exemptions to support effective tobacco control and protect public health.

Led by WHO, the Initiative brings together a powerful group of global partners to help countries put health taxes into action. These organisations offer a mix of technical know-how, policy advice, and real-world experience. By working together, the aim is to raise awareness about the benefits of health taxes and support efforts at the national level.

Many countries have expressed interest in transitioning toward more self-reliant, domestically funded health systems and are turning to WHO for guidance, the body said.

The “3 by 35” Initiative introduces key action areas to help countries, pairing proven health policies with best practices on implementation. These include direct support for country-led reforms with the following goals in mind:

• Cutting harmful consumption by reducing affordability;
  Increase or introduce excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks to raise prices and reduce consumption, cutting future health costs and preventable deaths.
• Raising revenue to fund health and development;
  Mobilise domestic public resources to fund essential health and development programmes, including universal health coverage.
• Building broad political support across ministries, civil society, and academia;
• Strengthen multisectoral alliances by engaging ministries of finance and health, parliamentarians, civil society, and researchers to design and implement effective policies.

WHO is calling on countries, civil society, and development partners to support the “3 by 35” Initiative and commit to smarter, fairer taxation that protects health and accelerates progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.