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FG Inaugurates Ad-Hoc Committee On Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax

The Federal Ministry of Health on Thursday, inaugurated the Ad-Hoc committee on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax to ensure the sustainability and effective implementation of the SSB Tax in Nigeria.

The inaugural meeting of the ad-hoc committee organized by the Non-Communicable Disease Division of the Federal Ministry of Health had representatives of different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government with important roles to play in the implementation of the SSB tax for the tackling of Nigeria’s NCDs burden.

In an opening address delivered by Mrs. Etta Nneka, the Director/Head, Public Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike said the ad-hoc committee ‘will be saddled with the responsibility of addressing excess consumption of SSB through actualizing comprehensive coordinated and sustainable implementation strategies of SSB tax regime’.

He said the terms of reference of the committee will include but are not limited to ‘working to expand the scope of the SSB tax to include a wide range of sugary drinks, determine most effective option for legislative framework, and to examine the current perceptions of the opportunities and barriers for SSB health taxes.’

According to the Head, Public Health, Nigeria is a low- and meddle-income country where more than 70% of the populace pay for health expenditure out of pocket and a part of the countries with 77% of the global 41 million deaths caused by NCDs.

The SSB Tax ad-hoc committee will also advise the Risk Factor Sub-committee of the National Committee on Non-Communicable Diseases.While appreciating stakeholders, the DPH thanked CAPPA, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, and other partners working in Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria’s health index is improved.

 

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