Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the media to increase advocacy on dangers of excessive consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs).
The Civil Society Organisation (CSO) noted excessive consumption of SSBs has been linked to non-communicable diseases as diabetes, cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, among others.
While lauding introduction of the N10 per litre excise tax on sugary drinks, it urged the government to increase the tax, in line with the 20 per cent recommendation by World Health Organisation (WHO).
Speaking at a training on SSB tax and industry monitoring, Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said government should ensure revenue from SSB tax be channelled to the health sector, mainly for persons suffering from non-communicable diseases.
He said: “We need to educate our people and support SSB tax introduced by the government, although it is way lower than our expectations. We want to get the media interested in the N10 per litre, which is a far cry from global recommendation of 20 per cent.
“SSB tax is important because there is evidence over consumption of SSBs is linked to non-communicable diseases as obesity, diabetes etc., and government needs to reduce these products, and ensure Nigerians live healthy lifestyles.”
Nigeria Coordinator of Cardiovascular Health and Food Policy for Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Joy Amafah, added: “When it comes to advocacy, there are few interventions, and media is a strong when it comes to health advocacy. There is ignorance by the public, decision makers about SSBs, not only in Nigeria but globally; misinformation pushed out there by industry players. We need to let the people understand the issues.”