KARACHI: International Diabetes Federation has urged authorities in Pakistan to double the taxes on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in forthcoming budget to reduce the burden of diabetes on individuals.
Daily Times
May 26, 2021
KARACHI: The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has proposed to Pakistan to contemplate increasing the taxes on sugary beverages in its upcoming budget to prevent diabetes among people.
A recent study of the consumption trends for sugar beverages in Pakistan (Datta and Husain, 2020) shows that carbonated beverages have become an integral part of the Pakistani diet.
The IDF office-bearers raised concerns about a large number of people with diabetes in the country. More than 19 million people are currently living with this dreadful disease with many more at the risk.
“We support the request of the Diabetic Association of Pakistan to increase excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages to 20% and broaden the category beyond its current definition to include juices, energy drinks, flavoured milk, iced tea and other drinks sweetened with added sugars,” IDF President Prof Andrew Boulton and President-elect Prof Akhtar Hussain stated in a joint letter to
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has asked the government to double the taxes on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) in the forthcoming budget.
Increase taxes on sugar beverages to prevent diabetes, Pakistan urged
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Diabetes body urges Pakistan to raise taxes on sugar beverages.
The increased tax aims to reduce burden of diabetes on individuals and families affected by diabetes and to do more to prevent diabetes in population.
Currently, about 19.4 million people in Pakistan have diabetes.
KARACHI: Pakistan has been recommended to seriously consider increasing the taxes on sugar beverages in its upcoming budget to prevent diabetes among people.
The recommendation comes from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). We support the request of the Diabetic Association of Pakistan to increase excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages to 20% and broaden the category beyond its current definition to include juices, energy drinks, flavoured milk, iced tea and other drinks sweetened with added sugars,” IDF President Prof Andrew Boulton and President-elect Prof Akhtar Hussain said in a joint letter to the government o
Top Story
May 23, 2021
KARACHI: The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHS,R&C) has recommended the Finance Ministry to raise the taxes on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) including carbonated drinks in the coming budget to make them inaccessible to masses due to their health hazards, The News has learnt.
“Yes. The Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan has sent a recommendation to the Finance Minister to raise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages on the request from health experts, especially eminent diabetologists of Pakistan”, an official of the NHS,R&C confirmed on Saturday.
The National Health Services official, who requested anonymity, said the Dr Faisal Sultan decided to recommend for increasing taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and carbonated drinks after the Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP) wrote letters to health authorities as well as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials, requesting them