By Jerry Olomolaye
The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR), a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), has said that introduction of a healthy food policy will assist in reduction of non-communicable diseases in the country.
Mr Edozie Chukwuma, Senior Associate, Planning Advocacy and Engagement, NASR said this at a media event to highlight the significance of healthy food policies such as the Sugar Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax in Abuja.
Globally, taxation has been an effective method for reducing consumption of unhealthy foods.
Introducing such a policy as the SSB tax had already been implemented in places like the America, Mexico, and South Africa; research shows it has contributed to a decrease in consumption.
Also speaking at the event, Miss Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Specialist at Gatefield, a member of NASR, emphasised the need to continue advocating for sustenance and increase of the SSB tax in Nigeria.
She said the timeliness of this as the beverage industry was pushing back on the tax and calling for its removal.
Also, Joy Amafah from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, spoke about the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria and the importance of healthy food policies in reducing and preventing them.
On her part, Rachael Abujah, an award winning journalist and Gatefield pro-health journalism fellow, shared that Nigeria currently lacked an efficient food policy and urged the government to define the tax and earmark it for health purposes.
Abujah emphasised that the government should ensure that the funds from the tax are used appropriately, and should be earmarked to improve public health.
Usman Bello, another fellow, highlighted a research from the Harvard Medical School, which revealed that consuming just one cane of soft drink daily increases the chance of getting type two diabetes by 26 per cent.
Bello said while sugary drinks may not be the direct cause of type 2 diabetes, they are major risk factor with no nutritional value.
Edozie Chukwuma, Senior Associate, Planning Advocacy and Engagement, NASR and Gatefield said they remain dedicated to advocating for the pro-health SSB tax and would continue to raise awareness about its importance