NCD commission split over sugar tax
More involvement from heads of state and a fund to catalyze financing are among the recommendations in an expert report on combating noncommunicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The group stopped short of backing a tax on sugary drinks, a reflection of the rifts between its members.
The World Health Organization believes imposing a tax on sugary drinks and other refined sugar products could help tackle noncommunicable diseases. But is a so-called "sin tax" — also referred to as a “health tax” or “STAX” (sugar, tobacco and alcohol tax) — just a bandaid for a much bigger problem? Does it disproportionately impact poorer people? And is it unfairly punishing an industry? Watch above as Devex takes a closer look.
For more coverage of NCDs, visit the Taking the Pulse series here.
