Global health officials want countries to raise so-called “sin taxes” in a bid to reduce the burden of chronic diseases linked to diet and lifestyle – and are suggesting countries direct the money raised to their cash-strapped health systems.
The World Health Organization (WHO) urged countries to raise prices on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50 per cent over the next decade. It said the tax hike could prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years and generate $1 trillion (€854.4 billion) in public funding over the next 10 years.
