WHO Calls for Price Hike on Tobacco, Alcohol, Sugary Drinks

On 2nd July 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled its “3 by 35” initiative at the UN Finance for Development conference in Seville, urging countries to raise the prices of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by 50% over the next decade through increased taxation.

Key Points

Major Tax Push: WHO is calling for the strongest-ever tax measures to raise the price of harmful products like tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035.
Public Health Impact: The move aims to reduce consumption of these products, which contribute to rising cases of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
Revenue Generation: WHO estimates the health taxes could generate $1 trillion in revenue globally by 2035, helping governments strengthen health systems amid rising public debt and falling aid.
Global Example: Nearly 140 countries have already raised tobacco taxes by over 50% between 2012 and 2022, showing feasibility and effectiveness.
Price Illustration: In middle-income countries, this could mean raising a product's cost from $4 to $10 by 2035, factoring in inflation, according to WHO economist Guillermo Sandoval.
Future Scope: WHO is also considering tax guidelines on ultra-processed food once its definition is finalized, although it expects industry resistance.
Broad Support: The initiative is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank, and the OECD, with assistance pledged for countries willing to implement health taxes.