The Federal government is being urged to introduce comprehensive legislation for a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax. Bernard Enyia, Vice President of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, emphasized the severe health implications of excessive SSB consumption on individuals, national health security, and the economy, making this legislation essential.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the consumption of sugary drinks significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and other health issues. In Nigeria, an estimated 38.6 million liters of SSBs are sold annually, contributing to a market valued at $16.87 billion in 2023, with a projected annual growth rate of 16.63 percent. With 11.2 million Nigerians living with diabetes, the country ranks among the highest consumers of sugary drinks globally.
Advocates argue that the accessibility and affordability of SSBs, despite their lack of nutritional value and harmful health effects, are major factors in their high consumption rates. In response to calls for legislative measures to curb SSB consumption, Nigeria introduced a tax on sugary drinks in 2021, currently set at N10 per liter. However, advocates argue that this tax rate is insufficient and are calling for higher rates of up to 30% to further reduce consumption and generate revenue for diabetes care.
As co-chair of the National Action for Sugar Reduction (NASR) coalition and a diabetes patient, Enyia stressed the need for higher tax rates, annual inflation adjustments, and a fund to subsidize diabetes testing and insulin costs for vulnerable groups. Considering the current economic realities and the growing health implications of excessive sugary drink consumption, Enyia believes these measures have become inevitable.
Given the escalating costs of diabetes care, Enyia emphasized that effective policy measures backed by law are the most viable solution to support millions of Nigerians struggling with the illness. He shared his personal experience, lamenting, “Life is not worth living when you are living with diabetes.” Enyia believes a robust SSB tax policy could generate the necessary revenue to fund diabetes care and save lives.
Enyia, whose personal and professional life has been significantly impacted by his condition, lost his job as a health worker in 2017 due to frequent hospital visits and the financial strain on his family. Diagnosed in 2008, Enyia relies on twice-daily insulin injections to control his blood sugar. However, recent price surges have forced him to spend more than N180,000 monthly on insulin and other medical expenses, up from N70,000.
Highlighting the challenges faced by people living with diabetes, Enyia cited instances of canceled doctor’s appointments due to lack of transportation and skipped insulin doses due to financial constraints. “Without regular insulin treatments, my condition would deteriorate,” he said. “If I have to choose between food and drugs, I often prioritize food because I need to eat before taking my medication.”
To cope with these changes, some individuals have turned to traditional herbal remedies, while others ration their insulin or forgo treatment altogether, risking severe health consequences. Enyia explained that diabetes affects every organ in the body, leading to potential complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney problems, and blindness. The chronic illness often places a heavy burden on households, pushing families from a middle-class existence into poverty.
Enyia argued that the current N10 per liter sugary drinks tax, introduced in 2021, is ineffective given the prevailing economic realities. He noted that the tax rate falls below global standards, and pro-health taxes are essential to reduce sugary beverage consumption and generate revenue to cover treatment costs and lessen the burden on people living with diabetes. Enyia suggested that the pro-health tax would be most effective if the rate were sufficiently high to both deter consumption and raise revenue, with periodic adjustments for inflation.
