The World Health Organisation is urging governments to grab their tax sticks and hit hard—right where it hurts: tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks.
In a bold move, the UN health body has called for a minimum 50% price hike by 2035, targeting products that continue to drive the global epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
According to the WHO, this is not just about health. It’s also a chance for governments to fatten their pockets and invest the gains in healthcare and education.
“Health taxes are among the most effective measures available,” said Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant director-general. “They reduce consumption of damaging products while generating revenue… The time to act is now.”
Save Lives, Raise Revenue
A new WHO report claims that a one-off 50% price hike on these harmful goods could save 50 million lives over the next 50 years.
That’s a lot of lives, and a lot of money, too.
The organisation estimates that governments could rake in over $1 trillion in new public revenue over the next decade.
And it’s not wishful thinking. “Between 2012 and 2022, nearly 140 countries increased tobacco taxes, causing real prices to rise by over 50% on average,” the WHO noted.
So, if you’re wondering whether this works, the numbers speak loudly.
Too Sweet, Too Cheap, Too Deadly
Right now, NCDs account for over 75% of deaths globally. Tobacco alone kills more than seven million people each year.
Yet many governments still hand out tax breaks to industries that thrive on sugar and smoke. The WHO says that has to stop.
The new “3 by 35” campaign is a direct response to overwhelmed healthcare systems, growing debt, and dwindling aid worldwide.
The goal? Tax three harmful industries heavily by 2035. If successful, it could be the most cost-effective public health measure of the century.
As sugary drinks become more accessible and tobacco products easier to find than water in some communities, WHO insists there’s no time to waste.
Raise prices. Save lives. Fund the future.
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