The WHO has said that most countries have low taxes on sugary beverages and alcohol, which is leading to more consumption and the onset of diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart ailments and cancer.
The WHO also stated that these beverages generate more revenue but only a small part via health-driven taxes, whereby the burden of long-term health and economic costs falls on society at large.     
The chief of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that health taxes are the “strongest tools” to promote health and prevent diseases. He said that if governments raise taxes on sugary beverages, alcohol and tobacco, then these products will be consumed less and the revenue can be used to provide vital healthcare services.
The poorer countries often receive limited financial aid, and thus, this taxation method can make them self-reliant and have a better healthcare system to deal with non-communicable diseases. 
The Chief also stated that implementation of health taxes cannot be easily implemented, as they may face opposition from powerful industries, which may lose out on revenue and consumers as a result. He also said that if properly implemented, then this can be a ‘powerful tool for health’.