Jamaica using policy to limit sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco use

 

By Nakinskie Robinson  

 

 

As the World Health Oraganization (WHO) pushes for higher taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks, Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says Jamaica is already using policy and public campaigns to limit consumption.

 

In two new global reports released Tuesday, the WHO warned that weak tax systems are allowing harmful products to remain cheap while health systems face mounting financial pressure from preventable noncommunicable diseases and injuries.

 

It said sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages are getting cheaper, due to consistently low tax rates in most countries, fuelling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries, especially in children and young adults.

 

When asked whether the government would consider increasing taxes on these products, Dr. Tufton said such a decision will have to be taken by Cabinet.

 

"I can't take that decision on my own. That's a Cabinet decision. What I would say is that the programmes that we are now pursuing will raise levels of awareness around consumption, restriction, and that's what taxes do too. So there is a combination of policy towards trying to restrict consumption. Everyone has a right, but they have a right also to be responsible, otherwise they become a burden on society. The reason why hospitals are overcrowded is because people, for the most part, based on lifestyle diseases, practice, consumption habits, lack of exercise and other things," he reasoned. 

 

Dr. Tufton said the ministry will be taking further steps to restrict consumption. 

 

"We are coming with comprehensive legislation around tobacco. I expect it to go to Parliament this year. We are coming with an alcohol policy. We have drafted a policy. We did a full survey and I am hoping that Cabinet will allow us now to have a green paper, which is a paper for national discussion. And you have seen where we have restricted sugary drinks in the schools," he noted.

 

For tobacco, Jamaica has implemented a multi-layered tax system which includes a Special Consumption Tax that is used to fund the National Health Fund. 

 

In 2018, Carreras blamed the Special Consumption Tax on tobacco for a decline of $321.6 million in profit.