Why in news?
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the “3 by 35” initiative in 2025, calling on governments to halve consumption of tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks by 2035 through higher taxes and stricter regulations.
Objectives
- Reduce non‑communicable diseases (NCDs): Tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption and high sugar intake contribute to heart disease, cancer, diabetes and liver disorders. Curtailing these behaviours could prevent millions of premature deaths.
- Raise revenue: WHO estimates that increased excise taxes could generate around US $1 trillion in additional revenue globally over the next decade, funding health services and social programmes.
Strategies
- Fiscal policies: Implement excise taxes that progressively increase the price of cigarettes, spirits, beer and sugar‑sweetened beverages. Taxes should be high enough to deter consumption.
- Legal controls: Enforce advertising bans, plain packaging of tobacco, minimum age laws for alcohol and restrictions on sponsorships and promotions.
- Public awareness: Launch mass media campaigns, warning labels and school programmes to educate people about health risks.
- Global solidarity: Encourage international cooperation to prevent cross‑border marketing and smuggling that could undermine national efforts.
Relevance to India
- India already imposes high tobacco taxes and has banned e‑cigarettes, but smokeless tobacco and illicit products remain widespread. Increasing taxes and enforcement could reduce consumption further.
- Alcohol taxes are primarily a state subject; harmonising rates and enforcing age limits could address binge drinking and road accidents.
- India introduced a 28 percent tax on sugar‑sweetened beverages under GST, but consumption remains high. Additional levies coupled with health education may help curb obesity and diabetes.