Sugary drinks play with health

Islamabad:The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) has released its report ‘Sweetened Profits: The Industry’s Playbook to Fight Sweetened Beverage Taxes,’ exposing the beverage industry’s global campaign to oppose taxes on sweetened beverages.

The comprehensive analysis provided by GHAI demonstrates how the beverage industry, also referred to as soda, uses a global playbook of strategies to thwart government efforts aimed at reducing the consumption of sugary drinks, a known driver of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other serious health problems. These tactics undermine public health initiatives while also negatively impacting environmental sustainability.

According to Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), this report comes at a crucial time when nations are grappling with soaring rates of diet-related non-communicable diseases. “While the global community is working towards creating healthier populations, big soda is using its influence to derail policies that could save millions of lives and billions in healthcare costs,” said Veronica Schoj, vice president, Food and Nutrition, GHAI. “Our report reveals the depth and breadth of the industry’s efforts to protect its profits at the expense of public health.”

Through exhaustive monitoring and analysis, GHAI identified five strategies employed by big soda to obstruct sweetened beverages taxes across more than 25 countries.He added the report clearly shows how the beverage industry is prioritising profits over public health, using underhanded tactics to prevent the implementation of taxes that could save lives. “We call on policymakers, civil society, and public health advocates in Pakistan to stand firm against these strategies and support evidence-based SB taxes.”