The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests increasing the price of alcohol, tobacco and sugary drinks by means of taxes by 50 % in order to combat chronic diseases.
The specialized agency of theHim Hopes that such a measure will help reduce the consumption of these products, which promote the appearance of diseases such as diabetes and certain cancers.
For Roxane Borgès Da Silva, professor at the University of Montreal public health school, chronic diseases, also called non -transmitted diseases, represent A huge burden
for the health system.
It is often diseases that are durable, incurable, which will require long -term care and care
she explains to the show A whole morning.
According to theINSPQ, Between 70 % and 80 % of total health costs in Quebec are linked to chronic diseases.
Ms. Borgès da Silva judges that in the context, it is necessary to act on Risk factors
and find the price level threshold that will make people stop
to obtain these products.
She believes that theOMS must also carry out awareness work in order to bring the population to accept the taxation of these products and foods.
It is absolutely necessary to continue to have campaigns of explanations and information at this level to encourage the population to reduce their consumption by themselves
she explains.
A tax that would finance the health system
In a context where many countries are facing discounts in healthcare spending, twinned with the dissolution of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), this tax could help upset the chests of several nations.
According to estimates of theOMS Based on similar measures established in Colombia and South Africa, this initiative could bring in $ 1,000 billion by 2035.
