WHO welcomes SA’s sugar tax
World Health Organisation says efforts to implement a tax to curb the consumption of sugar is a good example for other countries to follow
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has lauded SA for tackling diabetes and obesity. The organisation said the country had set a good example for other countries with its efforts to implement a tax to help curb the consumption of sugar, adding that it "strongly supports" the sugar tax on beverages. On Thursday Brand SA flagged the WHO’s recognition on its website. During his budget speech in February‚ finance minister Pravin Gordhan said the tax would come into effect once legislation was finalised. "By implementing a tax on sugary drinks to increase the prices of these beverages‚ SA will be taking a proactive step to reduce the intake of sugars‚ which contribute to unhealthy weight gain and other diet-related NCDs [noncommunicable diseases]‚ including diabetes‚" said Dr Rufaro Chatora‚ the WHO’s representative to SA. "SA’s stance on sugary drinks‚ and other products that impact on health‚ such as tobacco and alcohol‚ sets an example for other countries to follow. By taking such act...
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