Over 30 journalists, their eyes brimming with curiosity and full of expectations, gathered at the Bon Hotel in Ikeja, to participate in a two-day training organised by the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).
In those two days, the participants, who were carefully selected senior reporters, editors and publishers, were drilled by a set of top-notch facilitators, each with expertise on subjects ranging from health, taxation, and business to journalism.
The training was not just mind-blowing, but it turned out to be an eye-opener for most of the trainees. Many of these seasoned journalists confessed that although they would ensure escalated knowledge gathered to educate the Nigerian populace, they, however, must first take the gold nuggets received to their homes, to educate their children and family members.
The training with the theme: Journalism Training on Effective SSB Tax and Industry Monitoring, started on the 10th of October and ended on the 11th of October 2024.
The central idea of the training is not just to alert Nigerians to the health implications of the consumption of some drinks otherwise dubbed Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB), which has become a lifestyle for many Nigerians, but also to get journalists to comprehend the best way to save Nigerians, including children, from ill health and the financial burden that comes with it, is encourage and support SSB Tax.
Also Read:
- Minister advocates extension of NYSC to two years
- Two Chinese expatriates, police inspector killed in Abia ambush
- How Army, vigilantes rescued abducted Israeli from kidnappers’ den in Taraba
- How I was raped by colleague, actress Lolo 1 alleges
- Tinubu vows severe punishment for Plateau attackers, commiserates with families of victims
According to the facilitators, “The primary aim of the SSB Tax is to discourage the consumption of these unhealthy beverages, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, cancer and other health problems.”
The facilitators further mentioned that Nigeria is the highest consumer of SSBs in Africa. Also, excess consumption of SSBs is associated with an increased risk of diseases.
The WHO maintains that SSBs are linked to increased risk of overweight, type 2 diabetes mellitus, stroke, dental caries, metabolic syndrome and cancer.
In addition to the health impact, the consumption of SSBs results in economic costs derived from healthcare expenditure, low productivity, permanent disability and premature death, according to WHO.
UNICEF also states that curbing the consumption of SSBs through taxation and improving public health has become a global health priority.
The training, which was quite interactive, was kick-started on the first day with a welcoming remark from the Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi. He highlighted among other things, the dangers of unhealthy diets, stressing that CAPPA needed media partnership to escalate the information to Nigerians, to save lives.
Oluwafemi said: “The habitual consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), does not only affect us as individuals and our communities but also the health and well-being of our nation as a whole.
“In Nigeria, studies have shown that close to 30% of annual deaths are due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which are primarily linked to unhealthy diets, particularly the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), also known as ‘soft drinks’.
“The high rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases highlight a health crisis in Nigeria, with over 11 million Nigerians currently living with diabetes.
“Nigeria’s status as the fourth-largest consumer of soft drinks globally is concerning and is a looming health epidemic if not addressed promptly. The adverse effects of these preventable diseases on productivity, revenue loss, and human lives underscore the urgency for effective policy solutions.
“In response, the government initiated an Excise Duty of N10 per litre tax on all carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) through the 2021 Finance Act and began its implementation in June 2022. The objective of this measure is to reduce the excessive consumption of sugary drinks.
“However, though the initiative is a step in the right direction, it falls short of the global recommendation of at least a 20% increase in the final retail price of SSBs.
“Besides the very low tax regime on SSB products, their manufacturers have continued to use deceptive marketing, lack of content disclosure, non-existence of Front of Pack labelling and false nutrition benefit to recruit consumers and sustain profits at the expense of health.
“As journalists, you have a unique platform and responsibility to shed light on critical issues facing our society and promote public health policy interventions. The effective implementation of an excise on sugar-sweetened beverages is a vital public health measure aimed at curbing the rising tide of NCDs.
“With in-depth and factual reports, we believe the media can assist in exposing sharp practices by SSB companies. You can also focus on regulatory loopholes, and advocate for policies that prioritize public health over corporate profit. The true cost of consuming SSBs is in the burden of diseases, productivity loss, and poor national health outcomes.
“Also, public health advocacy goes beyond just reporting the facts, it requires storytelling that resonates with the public, highlighting the human angle of the effects of SSB consumption and the urgency of action.
“By amplifying the voices of health experts, community leaders, and individuals affected by NCDs, we can galvanize public support for this critical healthy food policy. Journalists should use their platforms to advocate for the effective implementation of the SSB Tax.
“It is essential to collaborate to ensure that our communities have access to accurate information, that policymakers are held accountable for the national policy framework, and that public health remains a top priority in our communities and country.”
A Public Health Consultant, at the University of Hospital, University of Ibadan, Dr Francis Fagbule explained: “SSBs include any liquids, powders, or other concentrated forms that contain natural or added sweeteners, not limited to and including various forms of sugars like brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, and sucrose.
“This may include soft drinks, juices, even 100% juices, nectars, sweetened coffee, sugar cane juice, sweetened tea, energy drinks, and flavoured dairy.”
Fagbule also said that SSBs increase the risk of hypertension among children and adolescents.
He also stated that the reasons for the increasing consumption of SSBs in Nigeria are; availability, which is the growth of SSB industries, and affordability, which means economic growth in the country.
There is also the reason for urbanization and changing lifestyles in Nigeria, cultural and social norms like celebrations, marketing and advertising of SSBs, especially among children and adolescents. And then there is the lack of public education and awareness about the health risks.
Mr Fidelis of Obaniyi, of the Centre for the Study of The Economics of Africa (CSEA), said that SSB Tax in Nigeria is a good policy for controlling SSB consumption because it helps in reducing the intake of excess sugar.
Furthermore, SSB Tax can be effective in reducing the prevalence of diabetes, obesity and other SSB-induced diseases. Similarly, the tax revenue can be earmarked for financing healthcare and promoting a healthy food environment.
Obaniyi argued that the SSB Tax is necessary because consumption depends on income, the price of unhealthy goods, and health awareness. It is again necessary because business investment is influenced by taxes.
His words: “Higher taxes on unhealthy products, reduce consumption. Government incentives for healthier alternatives encourage businesses to reformulate products. Public health investments shift consumption towards healthier options, reducing long-term healthcare costs, said Obaniyi.
An effective SSB Tax will make consumers worse off, it will create public awareness of the negative effects of SSB consumption, trigger behavioural change, increase fiscal revenue and reduce the health burden.
Obaniyi disclosed that effective SSB Tax, “Has been implemented by over 100 governments globally, including Mexico, California (USA), South Africa, Nigeria- tax of N10 per litre in 2021-, to combat health issues like obesity and diabetes and increase government revenue.
“Studies suggest that SSB taxes can effectively improve public health by reducing consumption, encouraging healthier beverage choices, and potentially generating revenue for health promotion initiatives.
“For instance, in South Africa, a 20 per cent tax on SSBs was predicted to avert 8,000 type 2 diabetes-related premature deaths over 20 years. A 20 per cent tax on SSBs was predicted to reduce obesity prevalence by more than 3 per cent in men and more than 2% in women.
“Assuming Can drinks, Carbonated Drinks, and Fruit Juices increased to at least N180, N130 and N216 per litre respectively, the optimal price we arrived at based on scenario analysis shows that this could significantly increase the price of these by approximately 25.8%, 39.9% and 36.6% per litre.
“To mitigate the economic and health impacts of unhealthy food, Nigeria should; increase and enforce an SSB tax. Promote public awareness about the health risks associated with SSB consumption. Use tax revenues to support healthcare and disease prevention programmes.
“The economic impacts of unhealthy food are profound, including direct healthcare costs and broader societal implications.
“An SSB tax is a viable policy intervention that can improve public health, reduce healthcare costs, and generate revenue for further health initiatives. While the tax of N10 per litre on SSB in Nigeria is a good beginning, the tax rate must be improved to have a significant fiscal and health impact.”
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
