In the past 20 years, the consumption of sugary drinks among Vietnamese people has increased tenfold, resulting in a rise in chronic diseases. According to Dr. Angela Pratt, Chief Representative of the WHO Office in Vietnam, this increase can be attributed to a lack of awareness about the harmful effects of these products and the ease with which they are accessible. During a conference held on April 5th, she highlighted the importance of implementing tax policies to curb their consumption and promote healthier alternatives like mineral water.
According to a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the average Vietnamese person consumed an average of 6.04 liters of sugary drinks in 2002. This figure has since increased to 55.78 liters in 2021. Sugary-sweetened beverages include various types of drinks containing free sugars, such as carbonated drinks, fruit juices, energy drinks, and flavored waters. Dr. Pratt emphasized that excessive consumption of these drinks can lead to conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Research conducted by Associate Professor Truong Tuyet Mai from the National Institute of Nutrition has shown that regular consumption of sugary drinks increases the risk of overweight and obesity among young people. The WHO recommends that children limit their sugar intake and sugary drink consumption to prevent these health risks.
To address the rising rates of overweight and obesity in Vietnam, the Ministry of Finance is working on a draft for a special consumption tax on sugary drinks. The proposed tax measures aim to combat the growing rates of chronic diseases associated with excessive sugar consumption by imposing taxes based on sugar content.
The Ministry of Health supports imposing taxes on sugary drinks defined by the WHO while exempting products like milk with low sugar content. These tax measures aim to encourage healthier dietary habits among the population and promote public health.
In conclusion, implementing taxes on sugary drinks is an effective way to curb their consumption and promote healthier alternatives like mineral water. It is essential for governments around the world to take action against excessive sugar consumption by implementing policies that discourage its use and encourage healthy eating habits among their populations.
