Who with a surprising idea
The World Health Organization presented a very ambitious and very controversial initiative. For ten years They want to collect a trillion of dollars that could be allocated to healthcare all over the world. How do they want to do this? – Health taxes are one of the most effective tools we have – admits Dr. Jeremy Farrar, deputy general director for health promotion and disease prevention and WHO control. Because the latest idea is based on a significant increase in prices of thousands of products around the world.
Taxes will go up?
WHO calls for raising real prices for tobacco, alcohol and sweetened drinks by at least 50 percent. By 2035, two main goals are to be achieved: restrictions on chronic diseases and generating public income. – Taxes limit the consumption of harmful products and generate income that governments can reinvest in healthcare, education and social protection. Time to act – calls Dr. Jeremy Farrar.
He has health
It is not a great discovery that the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and sweet drinks generally harms health. These products drive the epidemic of the so -called non -infectious diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. WHO calculated that they are responsible for over 75 percent. all deaths in the world. It is estimated that a one -off price increase of these products by 50 percent. He could prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years.
WHO will help in changes
WHO emphasizes that it started with its initiative “3 by 35” (three goals until 2035), including because many countries have expressed interest in switching to more independent financing from national funds of healthcare systems and She asked them for tips. Therefore, as part of this initiative, organizations were associated that offer a combination of technical knowledge, political consultancy and experience in this topic. They have three goals: limiting harmful consumption by reducing its availability, collecting income for financing healthcare and development, and building broad political support.
States are already working
The organization notes that in the years 2012-2022 almost 140 countries raised taxes from tobacco, which caused an increase in real prices by over 50 percent. “This shows that large -scale changes are possible “ – he writes in a press release. WHO calls, therefore, “countries, civil societies and development partners to support the initiative and commitment to smarter, just taxation that protects health.”
Read also: “Electricity prices will not be lowered? Deputy Prime Minister: Andrzej Duda will not sign it.”
Sources: Who