The federal government has discouraged the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) because it is capable of causing diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the National Conference on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax and Health Financing in Nigeria. The minister, who spoke on the conference theme …

The National Action on Sugar Reduction Coalition (NASR) has called for greater multisectoral collaboration in enacting the government’s proposed tax reforms. NASR made the call following a recent statement by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele that the government has no plans to introduce new taxes or impose higher tax rates. …

The Federal Ministry of Health has expressed commitment to increase the tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) from the current rate of 10 per cent to 20 per cent. This is in a bid to combat the rising public health concerns associated with excessive sugar consumption. The ministry added that the tax would deter consumers from purchasing SSBs and, instead, encourage …

Stakeholders have urged the federal government to increase taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) towards achieving a 20 per cent increase in the final retail price of targeted sugary drinks as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and global health experts. They made the recommendation at a one-day Regional Stakeholders Forum on Sugar-sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax in Enugu State organised …