WHO calls for higher taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol
Sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are getting cheaper in most countries because tax rates stay low, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and injuries—especially in children and young adults. Two new WHO reports: "Global report on the use of alcohol taxes, 2025" and "Global report on the use of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, 2025" call on governments to significantly strengthen taxes on these products, warning that weak tax systems let harmful drinks stay cheap while health systems face mounting pressure from preventable diseases.
