Beverage Industry Trying to Derail Public Health Agenda

By: Omed Hajjana

Islamabad: The dominating beverage industry is seeking to destroy the public health agenda and persuade the government not to implement the federal excise levy on sugary drinks in the 2023-24 budget.

Public health advocates, campaigners, civil society organizations, and dietitians are concerned about beverage industry efforts to derail the public health agenda.Health Experts Call for Higher Taxes on Sugary Drinks in Budget

Health professionals and civil society representatives expressed concern at a joint press conference that the beverage industry was trying to derail the public health agenda of reducing sugary drink consumption by raising federal excise duty in the finance bill 2023-24.

On Monday at a local Islamabad hotel, the Pakistan National Heart Association, Diabetic Association of Pakistan, Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetic Society, Family Physicians Association, Pakistan Kidney Patient Welfare Association, and Civil Society Alliance held a press conference.

Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) reduces obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Sana Ullah Ghumman, General Secretary PANAH, stated that 105 countries, towns, and regions had imposed SSB excise fees.

“We have serious concerns that the beverage industry is trying to offset the government’s efforts to reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, liver, and kidney diseases and escape taxes in the finance bill 2023-24,” he added.

According to Global Health Advocacy Incubator consultant Munawar Hussain, “There is growing evidence from countries which shows that increasing tax on sugary drinks, contrary to industry arguments, do not lower wages, reduce employment, or have any negative impact on the economy”.

The research reveals that SSB levies reduce sugary drink consumption and encourage people to drink water and unsweetened milk.

Public health activists and civil society representatives want the government to reduce sugary drink consumption, particularly artificially sweetened ones.

According to WHO standards, non-caloric sweeteners are equally toxic and increase NCD risk.

Khawaja Masood, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, said the Ministry has submitted a proposal to the Federal Board of Revenue to increase federal excise duty on all sugary drinks to 50%, including sodas, energy drinks, juices, fruit juices, squashes, syrups, flavored milk, and non-caloric sweeteners.

“Sweet drinks contribute to Pakistan’s rising obesity and diet-related NCD rates,” he said.

“Research shows that sugary drinks are the largest contributors of sugar to the diet,” stated Fayza Khan, President of Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetics Society.

With 31% of adults having diabetes, Pakistan leads the world. Pakistan now spends $2.6 billion on diabetes management. Dr. Abdul Basit, General Secretary Diabetic Association of Pakistan, said, “Evidence-based measures like taxing sugary drinks” can stop this storm.

He warned that failing to prevent diabetes would derail the development goal.

Public health advocates and civil society representatives also shared Pakistan Health Research Council’s 2021 referendum on sugary drink taxation.

A 2021 nationwide opinion poll found that 78% of adult Pakistanis favored taxing sugary drinks to limit consumption. Eight in 10 Americans also want the government to restrict sugary drink consumption.

Aisha Sarwari, Coca-Cola’s Director of Public Affairs, didn’t answer to NewzTodays’ request for her version.

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