GENEVA, Switzerland: The World Health Organisation (WHO) is campaigning for significantly higher taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, and sugary drinks, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
The United Nations (UN) health agency is urging countries to raise the prices of these harmful products by at least 50 per cent by 2035 through taxes.
According to WHO, the revenue could be used to fund the fight against heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
These and other non-communicable diseases account for three-quarters of all causes of death worldwide.
Citing a 2024 report by the Healthcare Tax Policy working group which is sponsored by the non-profit Bloomberg Philanthropies, the WHO said that a one-time 50 per cent price increase by 2035 could prevent up to 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years.
The WHO’s 3 by 35 Initiative hopes to raise USD1 trillion (RM4.22 trillion) over the next 10 years to invest in healthcare, education and social protection measures.
“The 3 by 35 Initiative aims to revitalise health taxes as a powerful tool to reduce harmful consumption, save lives, and generate vital public revenue,” the WHO said in a statement. – BERNAMA-dpa
