A one-day National Conference on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax is to hold on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
It is being organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA). The conference with the theme “Towards Sustainable Pathway for Pro-Health Tax in Nigeria” is to hold at the Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja. It is to bring together stakeholders such as government representatives, public health professionals, academics, civil society groups, and the media, among others to examine the current SSB tax regime in Nigeria.
Prof Pate, Minister of Health
Among those who are to speak at the international event which is to be attended virtually by are the Special Adviser on Health to the President, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, key representatives from the Nigeria Customs Service, leading experts in the fields of Public Health, Tax and Financing, as well as Public Health Advocates, along with representatives of the people.
Dr. Gafar Alawode, Development Governance International, will speak on “Nigeria’s Weak Health Systems and the Quest for Sustainable Healthcare Financing: A Case for Pro-Health Taxes.”
The Federal Government had in the Finance Act 2021, introduced a N10/litre Excise Duty on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages. But with growing concerns over the rising cases of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDS) in the country, public health advocates have urged an increase in the rate from N10 to a minimum of N20.
These and other issues such as the adoption of the most effective evidence-based rate and implementation regime that reduces consumption, expands the tax coverage, and improve collection are to be discussed at the national conference in Abuja.
