Manila wants to impose ‘sin tax’ on junk food, beverages

MANILA: The Department of Health (DOH) wants to include sweetened beverage and junk food under the “sin tax law” because these products contribute to the growing problem of obesity or overweight among children.

Maria Rosario Vergeire, the DOH officer in charge, cited the urgent need to impose excise tax on these products especially on children “on who grow up drinking and eating this kind of food.”

The children, Vergeire said, become obese and start developing risks for non-communicable diseases.

“These contributing factors become the lifestyle-related factors wherein there are studies conducted” that lead to the problems among children.

Data from DOH indicated there has been a sustained increase in obesity from 3l per cent in 2015 to 37 per cent in 2018.

Because of this problem of obesity, the DOH is adding sweetened beverages and junk food under the sin tax law which imposed taxes on alcoholic drinks, traditional tobacco, heated tobacco products and vape, Vergeire said.

“Now, we are adding these sweetened drinks and junk food to be covered by the sin tax law,” she said. “This is already a public health concern because we know the risk of an individual who is obese or overweight.”

Besides, Vergeire pointed out the inclusion of these product in the coverage of sin tax law will also raise funds to help in the implementation of Universal Health Care programme.

In related development, Senator Lito Lapid also filed a bill banning the sale, promotion and distribution of sweetened beverages and junk food inside public schools and within 100 metres of their perimeter.

The measure seeks to establish a healthy food and beverage programme in all public elementary and secondary schools as well as promote a healthy diet and positive eating environment for students, teachers and non-teaching personnel.

“Studies have shown that students who do not get enough nutrition have difficulty concentrating and learning, which oten leads to low grades or even the tendency to drop out,” the bill said.