WHO is launching a daring initiative intended to increase taxes on harmful to health and save millions of lives

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new large -scale initiative today in order to increase the real prices of tobacco. Meanwhile, alcohol and sugary drinks by at least 50 % by 2035, through taxation, in order to slow down chronic diseases and obtain essential public revenues. Nevertheless, The launch of the “3 by 2035” initiative comes at a time when health systems are subject to enormous pressure due to the progress of non -transmitted diseases (MNT). For example, the decrease in development aid and the increase in public debt. Furthermore,

The consumption of tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks fuels MNT’s epidemic. Moreover, MNTs, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes, are responsible for more than 75 % of deaths worldwide. Furthermore, According to a recent report. Therefore, a single increase of 50 % of the price of these products could avoid 50 million who launching daring initiative intended premature deaths over the next 50 years.

“Taxes on harmful products for health are one of the most effective tools we have. ” said the D^r Jeremy Farrar, CEO of the WHO responsible for the promotion of health, prevention and the fight against diseases. “They make it possible to reduce the consumption of harmful products. to obtain revenues that the public authorities can reinvest in health care, education and social protection. It’s time to act, “he added.

The initiative has an ambitious but achievable objective of obtaining $ 1,000 billion in the United States over the next 10 years. Between 2012 and 2022, nearly 140 countries increased tobacco taxes, which resulted in real prices of more than 50 % on average. A large -scale change is therefore possible.

From Colombia to South Africa. the public authorities have found that the establishment of taxes for harmful products has resulted in a decline in consumption who launching daring initiative intended and an increase in revenue. However, many countries continue to offer tax incentives to the products of harmful products for health, especially tobacco. In addition. long -term investment agreements with the industry that limit the increase in tobacco taxes can even more include national health objectives. The WHO encourages governments to re -examine. avoid such derogations in order to contribute to the effectiveness of the anti -Bacc control and to protect public health.

The success of the “3 by 2035” initiative depends on a close collaboration. Directed by WHO. this initiative brings together a powerful group of global partners to help countries implement taxes on harmful products. These organizations offer technical skills, strategic advice and concrete experience. By collaborating. they aim to raise public awareness of the advantages of taxes on harmful products and to support efforts at the national level.

Many countries have expressed their wish to opt for more autonomous. who launching daring initiative intended funded health systems at the national level and turn to WHO to obtain advice.

The initiative “3 by 2035” offers areas in which it is essential to act to help countries. by associating health policies with best implementation practices. In particular. it provides for direct support for the reforms carried out by countries with a view to achieving the following objectives:

1. Rack up the consumption of harmful products By making them less affordable:

Accepting duties on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks must be established, or increase them if they exist, in order to lead to an increase in prices and to reduce consumption to reduce future health expenses and the number of avoidable deaths.

2. Revenue To finance health. development:

It is necessary to mobilize national public resources to finance essential health and development programs, including universal health coverage.

3. Obtain broad political support from ministries. civil society and the academic world:

Multisectoral alliances who launching daring initiative intended should be strengthened by involving the Ministries of Finance and Health, Parliamentarians, Civil Society as well as researchers to design and implement effective policies.

The WHO calls for countries. civil society and development partners to support the initiative “3 by 2025” and to engage in favor of a more judicious and equitable taxation which is favorable to health and which makes it possible to achieve faster the objectives of sustainable development.