Representatives of civil society, media, and health professionals have called for imposing higher taxes on all types of sugary drinks to reduce their consumption, which is vital to control diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.

They were speaking at a meeting held in Islamabad under the auspices of Pakistan National Heart Association on the topic of "Reducing consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages by increasing taxes".

General Secretary and Director Operations of PANAH Sana Ullah Ghumman said annual diabetes related expenditure in Pakistan has increased to over 2.6 billion dollars. He said increased consumption of sugary drinks has clear link with increased rates of diabetes. He mentioned that many countries in the region and across the globe progressively increased taxes on sugary drinks to reduce its consumption.

The participants highlighted that over 50 countries have introduced tax on Sugar Sweetened Beverages. They said Mexico imposed a one peso per liter tax in 2014, an increase that reduced both the purchase and consumption of sweetened beverages in the country. In Saudi Arabia 100 percent tax on Energy drinks and 50 percent tax on Sodas were imposed.

Source: Radio Pakistan