Academic Journal
Challenges and way forward for implementation of sugar taxation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
| Title: | Challenges and way forward for implementation of sugar taxation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Hazem Abbas, Carol C Guarnizo-Herreño, Maha El Tantawi, Georgios Tsakos, Marco A. Peres |
| Source: | Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 52:375-380 |
| Publisher Information: | Wiley, 2024. |
| Publication Year: | 2024 |
| Subject Terms: | Dietary Sugars, Economics, FOS: Political science, Social Sciences, Health Professions, FOS: Health sciences, Nutrition Policy, Food science, Africa, Northern, Sociology, Market economy, 11. Sustainability, Public economics, Political science, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Development economics, 2. Zero hunger, Nutrition and Dietetics, 1. No poverty, health policy, Taxes, Social science, 16. Peace & justice, 6. Clean water, FOS: Sociology, 3. Good health, Consumption (sociology), Chemistry, Environmental health, Impact of Food Insecurity on Health Outcomes, General Health Professions, Medicine, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Business, Management and Accounting, FOS: Law, Nursing, 12. Responsible consumption, Middle East, sugar‐sweetened beverage, Added sugar, Influence of Corporations on Public Health Policy, Health Sciences, Humans, Sugar, Subsidy, Nutritional Consequences, Economic growth, Maternal and Child Nutrition in Developing Countries, North Africa, public health dentistry, 13. Climate action, taxation, Law |
| Description: | BackgroundOver consumption of added sugar beyond the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level of 10% of daily energy intake has well‐established negative health consequences including oral diseases. However, the average consumption of added sugar in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA—World Bank's regional classification) is 70% higher than the WHO recommended level. Imposing taxes on added sugar has been proposed by the WHO to decrease its consumption. Yet, only 21.6% of the total MENA population are covered by taxation policies targeting added sugar.ChallengesWell‐recognized challenges for the implementation of sugar taxation in MENA include the tactics used by the food and beverage industry to block these type of policies. However, there are also other unfamiliar hurdles specific to MENA. Historically, there have been incidents of protest and riots partially sparked by increased price of basic commodities, including sugar, in MENA countries. This may affect the readiness of policy makers in the region to impose added sugar taxes. In addition, there are also cultural, lifestyle and consumption behavioural barriers to implementing added sugar taxation. Ultra‐processed foods and sugar‐sweetened‐beverages (SSBs) rich in added sugar are perceived by many in MENA as essential treats regardless of their health risks. Furthermore, some countries even provide subsidies for added sugar. Also, (oral) healthcare providers generally do not engage in policy advocacy mainly due to limited training on health policy.Ways forwardHere, we discuss these challenges and suggest some ways forward such as (1) support from a health‐oriented political leadership, (2) raising public awareness about the health risks of over consumption of sugar, (3) transparency during the policy‐cycle development process, (4) providing a free and safe environment for a community dialogue around the proposed policy, (5) training of (oral) healthcare professionals on science communication and policy advocacy in local lay language/dialect, ideally evidence informed from local/regional studies, (6) selecting the appropriate political window of opportunity to introduce a sugar tax policy, and (7) clear and strict conflict of interest regulations to limit the influence of commercial players on health policy. |
| Document Type: | Article Other literature type |
| Language: | English |
| ISSN: | 1600-0528 0301-5661 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/cdoe.12955 |
| DOI: | 10.60692/753d9-73h86 |
| DOI: | 10.60692/bf0sz-g5135 |
| Access URL: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38587110 https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10190768/ |
| Rights: | CC BY |
| Accession Number: | edsair.doi.dedup.....e8ff5050f5370a00e0baa3e79c5627f8 |
| Database: | OpenAIRE |
| ISSN: | 16000528 03015661 |
|---|---|
| DOI: | 10.1111/cdoe.12955 |