Non -communication diseases resembling diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions eliminate 70 % annually global deaths.
In South Africa, Non -communicated diseases have more than half of the deaths of all deaths. Is the status of diabetes The second important reason after the tuberculosis.
A major contributor Diabetes is high consumption of sugar sweet drinks to extend the speed, including colds.
World Health Organization Recommends at least 20 % tax On sugar beverages as an efficient tool to assist reduce consumption and help prevent health -related risks.
South Africa introduces taxes on sugar sweet drinks, which is formally referred to as its name By promoting healthIn 2018.
The tax application is ahead of R0.0221 ($ 0.0012) 4 grams/100 ml of sugar per gram, which is 8 % of the ultimate sale price. Ever because it was introduced, the tax has increased barely, but not inflation. Therefore, the actual 20 % reduces the goal due to the promotion of health because the pressure from the industry is as a consequence of the watering version.
I guide South Africa's Medical Research Council/Wits Center for Health and Decision Science – Priceless SAWhich has been studying various facets of levy for 10 years.
Priceless SA remains to be within the means of measuring health and financial effects for health and promotion, which doesn't implement health promotion at 20 % of the beneficial. The lack of recent data increases this challenge. But it's price noting that World obesity report Obesity remains to be a major problem in South Africa.
Without intervention, obesity in South Africa is more likely to affect 30 million adults and 10 million children by 2035. In 2019, non -communication diseases attributed to South Africa suffered 55,238 deaths, and with the annual 2.3 % increase In obesity, deaths are about to extend.
Taxing on sugar beverages is effective
Despite the sugar industry claims that health is the associated fee of promoting IneffectiveGlobal evidence is otherwise strictly suggest. Countries which have imposed such taxes have seen a big reduction in sugar consumption.
Sugar has been applied in sweet drinks taxes 103 countries and territory globally And has proved to be effective in lots of countries.
There was one in Ireland 30.2 % reduction in sugar intake Through these drinks.
Showed a study in California Overweight and decrease in obesity in youth Living within the cities where there was a tax of sugar drinks.
In Mexico, Chinese Sweet Beverage Taxes were introduced in 2014 at 1 pyco ($ 0.05) per liter, and by 2016, sugar drinks were sold Dropped off 37 %.
Similarly, within the UK, in consequence of a tax introduced in 2018 35.4 % reduction In sugar consumption from tax drinks.
This tax has had a positive impact in South Africa. Studies suggest A decrease in purchases. Of these beverages decreased greater than sales In subconsciously with the use of lower social economic groups and high sugar drinks.
With the acquisition of taxable beverages, the sugar is reduced to 16.25 g/capa day by day, with the announcement of pre -health levy to 10.63 g/capa day by day after the implementation of pre -promotion levy.
Low -income households, who initially buy more taxable sugar drinks than wealthy households, Showed the most important shortages In consumption after imposing tax.
This is very vital as non -communicable diseases The non -proportional effect Poor and weak population.
Imposing high taxes on sugar drinks not only reduces consumption but additionally Encourages improvements Through manufacturers, healthy products.
Levy doesn't cause job reduction
Sugar -related industries Often argue The tax has led to a lot of jobs.
Our research contradicts these claims.
A Recent studies The University of North Carolina and South Africa's Medical Research Council were performed by the Bloomberg donors by the invaluable SA, not showing any special fellowship between the Levi and the job level. This showed that the Chinese -related industries weren't related to employment or employment losses. These include agriculture, beverage manufacture and industrial businesses that sell food and beverages.
The study shows Several factors This could also be explained:
First of all, firms can resurrect the wages of their work moderately than a discount in jobs.
Secondly, many beverage producers have responded to taxes using non -nutritional users as an alternative of reforming their products, reducing sugar content and reducing production.
Thirdly, the demand for tax sugar beverages has not decreased enough to affect the job.
Finally, consumers often switch to extraordinary alternatives manufactured by the identical corporations, which prevents financial loss to the industry.
Increase in levy is useful for public purse
The recent delay in South Africa's budget speech, highlights the urgent need for added and alternative income sources, as a consequence of differences within the recent delay within the budget speech, the rise of two percent points.
South Africa's health system is doing a Mass financial burden Due to chubby and obesity, cost R33 Billion (US $ 1.78 billion) Annual account is calculated 15.38 % The government's health costs and 0.67 % The country's GDP. Based on everybody, there may be an annual cost of chubby and obesity R2,769 (US $ 150).
On the opposite hand, Levy created R5.8 Billion (US $ 313 million) In taxes in your first two financial years.
In addition to raising funds, high tax rates will provide health advantages and savings for public health services.
Based on our research, this tax in South Africa will be increased by 20 % Reduce Obesity rate is from 2.4 to three.8 percent points, withholds 85,000 strokes, and provides 72,000 lives in 20 years.
This improvement is more likely to end R5 Billion (US $ 270 million) In medical expenses.
Contrary to other tax -imposed measures, which affect all consumers equally, it mainly targets arbitrary purchases, making it a superb financial device.
Therefore, the federal government must work-to increase health revenue by 20 % and reduce the sugar fuel health crisis from its root.
Raising this tax as much as 20 % will probably be a greater tax for a healthy nation.