Raise Higher Taxes On Sugary Drinks To Fight Obesity: WHO

Obesity is one major problem faced by the United States today. This unhealthy state could lead to complications such as diabetes and heart problems. One of the main causes for obesity is excessive sugar intake. Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) campaigns to put high taxes on sugary drinks to take a step into the fight against obesity.

WHO is asking for a 20 percent or more additional tax on sugary drinks. The organization said that the higher retail price can reduce the consumption and minimize the number of obesity cases and other related illnesses. They added that drinking less sugary drinks is a way to control the excessive weight and prevent illness such as Type 2 diabetes.

The United Nations health agency also calls for the government to put a higher tax on sugar-infused beverages such as sweetened iced tea, lemonade, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy and vitamin water and soda. They have also seen the negative effects of sugar brought by these drinks.

WHO presented a 36-page report during the World Obesity Day. In the report, the researchers said that obesity has doubled worldwide since 1980-2014, 11 percent coming from men and 15 percent in women it affects 500 million people. This higher tax movement can reduce consumption as they have seen the difference of imposing the higher tax on tobacco, the consumption lessens, in a report by CBC News. 

The health organization's department head for preventing non-communicable diseases, Dr. Douglas Bettcher said, "Consumption of free sugars, including products like sugary drinks, is a major factor in the global increase of people suffering from obesity and diabetes. If governments tax products like sugary drinks, they can reduce suffering and save lives."

The goal of the organization is to have a high tax rate to an extent that the less consumption can have better health effects. Their plan is that the tax will go to the increase of income for government health services, additional funds for the information campaign regarding obesity and to subsidize what people pay for fresh fruit and vegetables to improve people's diet, according to Fox News.