The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR), a coalition, has called for an increase in tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to reduce the burden of obesity.

Omei Bongos-Ikwue, a representative of the NASR, made the call during a rally on Saturday in Abuja to commemorate the 2024 World Obesity Day, celebrated annually on March 4.

“We urge the government to implement higher taxes on sugary drinks,” said Mr Bongos-Ikwue. “The goal of this pro-health tax is to protect more Nigerians from the risks of obesity, alleviate the burden on the healthcare system, and promote a healthier society.”

According to him, statistics have shown that one in eight people worldwide grapples with obesity.

He said the alarming statistic had also revealed that 30 per cent of Nigerians were overweight and that 15 per cent of such figures were classified as obese.

Mr Bongos-Ikwue said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had also underscored the global scale of the obesity crisis, with more than one billion people affected worldwide.

He said the disease was majorly attributed to excessive calorie intake and that obesity posed a significant threat to health.

According to him, SSBs emerged as the primary source of added sugar in diets and have been scientifically linked to abdominal obesity.

“SSBs are identified as a key driver of cardiometabolic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

“This rally featured an extensive awareness campaign, engaging choreography by volunteers, games, and informative factsheets aimed at enlightening the public,” he stated.

https://gazettengr.com/fg-urged-to-introduce-higher-taxes-on-sugar-sweetened-drinks-to-reduce-obesity/

Sirmwill:

---

---

Are Nigerians even obese?

---

---

They are just looking for excuse to make things harder for Nigerians

Sorry I but are we reaaaally ok in this country?
Of all things increase tax again with all these problems?

Most Nigerian can barely afford 3square meal, more than 60% live below poverty line.

Obesity is not a problem in naija... people are hungry.

Makes sense to me.

MODIFIED

The science is in

In a meta-analysis of 88 studies, we examined the association between soft drink consumption and nutrition and health outcomes. We found clear associations of soft drink intake with increased energy intake and body weight. Soft drink intake also was associated with lower intakes of milk, calcium, and other nutrients and with an increased risk of several medical problems (e.g., diabetes)

Vartanian LR, Schwartz MB, Brownell KD. Effects of soft drink consumption on nutrition and health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Public Health. 2007 Apr;97(4):667-75. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.083782. Epub 2007 Feb 28. PMID: 17329656; PMCID: PMC1829363.


Our findings support the hypothesis that soft drink intake increases blood pressure. While further studies should be conducted to confirm our findings, food policies and recommendations to limit soft drink intake are likely to help reduce blood pressure at the population level

Hernández-López, R., Canto-Osorio, F., Vidaña-Pérez, D. et al. Soft drink and non-caloric soft drink intake and their association with blood pressure: the Health Workers Cohort Study. Nutr J 21, 37 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-022-00792-y

123456789O:


They are just looking for excuse to make things harder for Nigerians

Having diabetes is a nice way of making things very hard for a Nigerian.

Modifed

Kind of amusing to see how NIgerians are in denial about how soft drinks are bad for your health.

MOdified 2

People who consume sugary drinks regularly—1 to 2 cans a day or more—have a 26% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who rarely have such drinks

Sugary drinks: the nutrition source.

Wickedness in high places ooo just to keep people down

Rubbish

Hehehe.

APC and their supporters will dance to this news. The government love Nigerians so much and is now fighting obesity for them.

I believe the present hunger in the land is another great move to stop obesity and make Nigerians more fit .

Removing subsidy is another great move. People are now fit as a result of trekking .

Omo,sense wan kill this government .

Lol if una like reduce Diabetes....

Na una sabi

My favourite isn't there so I will pass!

Parable007:
Sorry I but are we reaaaally ok in this country?
Of all things increase tax again with all these problems?

At the end, we can survive without sugar.

Someone I knew stopped drinking sugary drinks when times were hard for him. BY the time his finances improved, he had gotten so used to not drinking sugary drinks that he continued with his habit.

Plus diabetes costs a lot of money to treat. Far more than any tax.

Obesity is not an epidemy in Nigeria. This is Just an excuse to increase prices and make life more difficult

when the wicked is on the throne the people cry.this idiots in power have really brought more pain than the calamitous formerly regime.APC gathering of idiots by idiots

nairalanda1:


Having diabetes is a nice way of making things very hard for a Nigerian.

Diabetes and obesity aren't same bro

Wetin concern poor country and obesity?

They should start taxing corrupt people so that corruption will reduce.

Nonsense and ingredients pls leave our sugar for us

nairalanda1:
Makes sense to me.

How can it not make sense to your empty brainbox?

I laugh 🤣

How is it government nightmare if someone wanted to drink to obesity? Or they fear being called obesity republic? Abeg we don't want unnecessary increase in price of our sweet drinks.

Cluelessness at its peak, can you point one person that is obese in Nigeria?

bareal:


Diabetes and obesity aren't same bro

Obesity can cause a whole lot of health problems, which can be very very harsh on one's wallet.

Ok

What is wrong with these people for God sake

Nigeria does not have obesity problem; yes some people are fat but it's not a major problem in Nigeria.

Go US and SA and see something

How many Nigerians are obese. Excuses just to tax the hell out of the people.

Tax collector. Na so dem wan use taxes and levies wound people for Lagos.

Fanta wey we Dey use hold body na APC wan scatter 😱 meanwhile if you reside in ABJ check my thread now, I get better update for you

You can just imagine this headline

jayworld15:


How can it not make sense to your empty brainbox?

It's because you have never had to see your loved one die slowly from diabetes brought about by a lifetime of bad eating habits, including a lot of soft drinks.

I have. It's not funny.