A public health expert has raised serious concerns over the increasing health risks posed by the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks (SSBs) in Nigeria.
The expert warned that the country is facing a growing crisis of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases.
In an interview, Abayomi Sarumi, Associate Director at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), highlighted that the widespread intake of sugary drinks, commonly called soft drinks, is silently fueling a health emergency, especially among young people.
Sarumi explained that SSBs are drinks that contain added sugars such as sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, or other sweeteners like honey and molasses.
He emphasised that the consumption of these beverages is contributing significantly to the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria. According to CAPPA, NCDs are responsible for about 30 per cent of annual deaths in the country, and the excessive intake of sugary drinks plays a major role in this alarming trend.
In response to this health challenge, the Nigerian government introduced a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax in 2021. The tax imposes a N10 levy per litre on all non-alcoholic, sweetened, and carbonated drinks.
This policy was aimed at discouraging excessive sugar consumption, reducing Nigerians’ dependence on sugary drinks, and curbing the rise of related diseases.
However, many health experts argue that the current tax is not high enough to create a meaningful impact on consumption habits. They are advocating for a substantial increase in the SSB tax to better deter excessive intake and generate revenue to support the healthcare sector.
With Nigeria reportedly consuming 54 billion litres of sugary drinks, experts warn that the country must adopt a more aggressive and comprehensive strategy. This includes public education on the dangers of excessive sugar intake, stricter advertising regulations, and stronger fiscal measures to reverse the trend and protect public health.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
