Sugary drinks: Killing Nigerians softly

Knocks and Kudos (Reviewed)

By Paul Dada

Ignorance, they say, is bliss. But the bliss that ignorance guarantees, in many cases could have dire consequences, for what you don’t know may be killing you.

“What You Don’t Know May Be killing You” is actually the title of a book authored by Don Colbert an American medical doctor. I haven’t read the book but I am fascinated by the title. And I believe it aptly describes what sugary drinks have been doing to Nigerians for years.

Sugar-Sweeteened Beverages
Sugary drinks
Photo credit: Credit: monticello/Shutterstock.com

Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) surely have an enticing taste. They are like a  seductive woman of  easy virtue with alluring body curvatures and voluptuous bosom but afflicted by hard-to-be cured serious ailments.

They are like beautifully packaged poison.

Many Nigerians just cannot have enough of them. But they kill gradually, steadily, and softly.

I had always known something about the devastating effects of SSBs. But a recent training programme organised by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) which I had the privilege of attending opened my eyes wider. It made me resolve to give SSBs a wide berth. And every Nigerian deserves access to the information which has the potential to set them free from the stranglehold of Sugar Poisoned Beverages, sorry, I mean Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.

At the training, experts and resource persons, with verifiable and convincing statistical data, proved that SSBs have caused much damage to the health of Nigerians and even somewhat hobbled the economic growth of the country. They called for a more purposeful and effective control and regulation of the SSB industry by the government with a view to fostering better public health and generating improved revenue. Of course, this will keep the big players in the industry chagrined. But the measures called for are in the interest of the country. So, no one should care whose ox is gored.

Every reasonable Nigerian should call for measures to reduce SSB consumption in Nigeria.

SSB consumption has been known to cause Non-commuicable Diseases (NCDS) such as diabetes, hypertension, cardio-vascular diseases, cancer and obesity. Anyone who is in doubt can make Google their friend in this regard. These NCDS, many of which can be caused by habitual consumption of SSBs are part of the many health problems plaguing Nigerians.

For example, cancer is said to be responsible for over 72,000 deaths in Nigeria annually. And there are 102,000 new cases of cancer in this country annually.

According to the World Health Organisation, in 2016, NCDs were estimated to account for between 24% to 29% of all deaths in Nigeria.

According to WHO, among all deaths attributable to NCDs, 11% come from cardio vascular diseases, 3% from cancers, 2% from diabetes and 1 % from chronic respiratory diseases. The global health body says the probability of dying prematurely from NCDs in Nigeria is over 20%.

Let me reiterate this: A huge percentage of annual deaths in Nigeria are attributable to NCDS. And NCDs are linked to unhealthy diets, especially habitual consumption of sugary beverages.

Here is one truth: We don’t need the sugar from SSBs. The body already gets sugar it needs from food. There is already enough in all foods. The human body digests foods slowly, the sugar in them thus offers a steady supply of energy to your cells.

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The additional sugar from SSBs coming in disturbing volumes, stresses and troubles the body. It does little or no good to it. It gives the body bad gifts like tooth decay, acne, obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiac problems and cancer.

Sad! 11 million people are living with diabetes in Nigeria, yet this country is the undisputed fourth largest consumer of SSBs in the world. A research report by CAPPA says Nigeria has an annual sale of approximately 38.6million litres of SSBs with a market valued growth rate of 16.63 percent in 2023.

This is why the Federal Government must swing into action by taxing the SSB industry heavily. A heavy tax will drive up the retail prices of sugary drinks and this will reduce consumption. The revenue realised by the government should then be deployed into funding public health sector.

Increase of SSB tax in other climes has been known to have positive impact on people.

I came across a report of a research conducted by the University of Washington. It was found out that after eight cities in the United States of America imposed serious taxes on SSBs, low-income households decreased their purchases by nearly 50%, while high-income households did so by 18%.

In Nigeria, SSBs are being treated with kid gloves. The Finance Act of 2021 merely imposes N10 on every one litre of SSB. Since then, SSB producers have increased the prices of their products.bYet the tax about remains the same.

But the globally recommended percentage recommended is that 20% of the retail price of a sugary drink should be the tax paid on it.

CAPPA recommends that the tax paid on one litre of an SSB in Nigeria should at least be N130. One of the resource persons at the event I attended, said the country could generate as much as N729 billion yearly from SSB tax if it is raised. He also said it should be used to address public health concerns.

I can’t agree more.

Let the Federal Government and the National Assembly work to amend the Finance Act to raise significantly the excise duty paid on SSBs. And the ammended law must also firmly stipulate that the revenue generated from SSB tax be used to improve the sector.

Like serious governments are doing in other countries, the Nigerian authorities must take serious actions on this issue. If the government is really serious about protecting the interest of Nigerians, this should not be something difficult to do. The economy would not suffer on account of this. In fact, the reverse would be the case. People would spend less money to get themselves treated for diseases they could have prevented themselves from contracting. I do not foresee any loss to Nigeria and Nigerians in any context if we do this.

Of course, the SSB manufacturers would not like it. But who cares?

 

 

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