Director of public health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, has said that an estimated 38.6 million litres of soft drinks are sold daily in Nigeria.
He said “This makes Nigeria the 4th highest soft drink consuming country in the world”.
Sugar Sweetened Beverages refer to drinks that contain natural or added sweeteners, including various forms of sugars such as brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose-corn syrup, honey, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, and sucrose.
These drinks include soft drinks, juices, sweetened coffee, nectars, energy drinks and flavoured dairy products.
Anyaike, who spoke at the public presentation of the simulation study of the “Potential Fiscal and Public Health Effects of SSB tax in Nigeria” held in Abuja, said the drinks are marketed in such a way that customers believe that they get better value when they buy the biggest bottles of soft drinks, leading to over consumption.
“Of particular concern is the trend of over consumption among Nigerian adolescent which can lead to childhood obesity and negative health consequences in adulthood.
He said the institution of SSB tax has been identified as the most effective way of reducing the consumption of excess sugar sweetened beverages consequently reducing the incidences and prevalence of NCDs.
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