The G20's Role in Addressing Health Risks from Sugary Drinks, Processed Foods, and Tobacco

By 2030, it is projected that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) will be responsible for 75% of annual deaths worldwide, with 8% of these occurring in developing nations. Many of these diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers, are increasingly affecting younger populations.

The rise in consumption of sugary beverages and highly processed foods, rich in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, is a significant contributor to this public health crisis. Advertising plays a crucial role in promoting these unhealthy products, leading to a surge in NCDs globally. This phenomenon is linked to what are known as the commercial determinants of health, which shape societal norms and behaviors regarding tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food consumption.

Among the most harmful products are tobacco, sugary drinks, ultra-processed foods, and alcohol, all of which are aggressively marketed. For instance, between 2013 and 2019, sugary beverage companies in South Africa invested approximately $191 million in advertising, often targeting family time slots on television.

Over the last decade, various countries have attempted to implement policies aimed at reducing the consumption of these harmful products, including taxes on sugar, alcohol, and tobacco, as well as advertising restrictions. While some measures have shown effectiveness, there remain significant gaps in policy coverage.

The G20, representing two-thirds of the global population, has a critical opportunity to address these health challenges. With many member countries facing escalating rates of obesity-related illnesses, there is a pressing need for collective action. One of South Africa's health priorities during its G20 presidency is to mitigate the impact of non-communicable diseases, signaling an opportunity for the G20 to commit to combating the underlying causes of these ailments.

By recognizing that NCDs are largely driven by commercial interests that negatively impact health, G20 leaders can address the stagnation in the implementation of health taxes across many nations. By drawing attention to this issue, they can pave the way for a significant United Nations meeting in 2025, focusing on new strategies for controlling and preventing NCDs, with health taxes and advertising bans as key areas of discussion.

Despite some progress in curbing the use of harmful products, it is evident that no single solution exists. However, research indicates that consumers tend to respond positively to price increases, suggesting that health taxes could effectively reduce demand, particularly among younger demographics. Evidence also shows that these taxes generally lead to improved public health outcomes without significantly impacting employment rates.

Nevertheless, advancements in the taxation of alcohol and tobacco have been slow, and initiatives to impose taxes on sugary drinks are still inadequate. Health promotion taxes face strong opposition from industry stakeholders, who often use disinformation and lobbying to derail legislative efforts. When such taxes are introduced, they are frequently weakened by industry influence, which promotes voluntary commitments that lack effectiveness.

A recent report has estimated that increasing the prices of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages by 50% could generate an additional $3.7 trillion in revenue over five years. This funding is essential for bolstering healthcare systems, which are increasingly challenged by the burden of NCDs that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations.

To begin addressing these challenges, the G20 should focus on several key areas:

• Prioritizing preventive health measures to mitigate the financial and human costs associated with NCDs.
• Advocating for increased tobacco taxes as current initiatives have stalled, with many smokers residing in regions where cigarette affordability has not improved.
• Renewing efforts to enhance alcohol taxation, which has seen limited progress in the past decade.
• Raising taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages to achieve at least a 20% price increase, as evidence indicates this would be effective.
• Ensuring that trade policies align with health objectives to facilitate better nutrition regulation.
• Establishing stronger global monitoring frameworks to hold corporations accountable for their impact on health, including transparency in conflict of interest situations.

By taking these steps, the G20 can play a pivotal role in addressing the health risks associated with harmful products, ultimately improving global health outcomes.