WHO commends SA Parliament on sugar tax bill
Prices of sugary drinks in South Africa could go up by around 11% if the country's sugar tax bill is implemented by April next year.
The World Health Organisation has commended South African lawmakers on passing the tax bill on sugary drinks.
The WHO has described it as a brave and powerful step towards promoting health and reducing diet-related noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes.
The sugar tax bill is set to be implemented on 1 April next year and is expected to result in an 11% increase in the price of soft drinks.
"South Africa’s lawmakers must be commended for their steadfastness in the face of immense industry pressure, as well as their foresight and determination to put the health of their citizens before the profits of corporate entities," the WHO representative to South Africa Dr Rufaro Chatora said in a statement.
South Africa joins the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates in implementing fiscal policy to tax sugary drinks.
Meanwhile a range of other countries such as the Philippines, Nepal and Seychelles are also considering introducting a tax bill.
"Experience from other countries that have implemented the tax demonstrates its potential to reduce consumption of sugar and raise revenues that can be used to prevent and control diabetes, obesity and other NCDs," reads a statement by the WHO.
By introducing the tax, South Africa could be on course to reduce noncommunicable diseases by 25% by 2025, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.