By Progress Godfrey, Abuja
As Nigerians prepare for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has warned against excessive consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs), commonly known as soft drinks.
The Executive Director of CAPPA, Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi, said this became necessary to save Nigerians from the dangers of excessive consumption of soft drinks.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Oluwafemi knocked the SSB industry for capitalizing on the Yuletide to market their products, undermining the health of Nigerians.
He said that behind the vibrant colours and catchy jingles, sugary drinks are known to increase the rate of diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases, expressing worries that currently, one in ten Nigerians live with diabetes, thereby inflicting more burden on the healthcare system.
He said, “The manufacturing industry actively targets children and youths, bombarding them with sugary advertising and social activities, normalizing unhealthy habits at a crucial stage in their development. This predatory marketing exploits the vulnerability of young minds, shaping preferences that echo for years. The consequences are far-reaching as diabetes and its complications steal years of healthy life, erode productivity, and strain resources, leaving families shattered and futures uncertain.
“Amidst the festive cheer, the SSB industry drowns out public health concerns with a deafening roar of misinformation. They blame personal responsibility. They ignore their aggressive marketing tactics that target the most vulnerable: children and low-income communities.
“While families come together for festive gatherings, the SSB industry feasts on obscene profits, built on the backs of collective health.”
These producers annually especially during festive seasons incorporate corporate activities like festivals, awards and sponsoring popular events, as a way of promoting their unhealthy products.”
He further slammed the SSB producers for its greenwashing tactics of annually engaging the public through donations, paid awards, empowerment schemes, Yuletide brand promotions, event hosting and sponsorship, as well as the provision of social amenities. “All these are done to distract the people from the health dangers they are inflicting on the population.”
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to choose public health over corporate greed and advocate for an increase in the current N10/ litre tax on SSBs which took effect in June 2022, demonstrably proven to reduce consumption by up to 20% in over 100 counties that have implemented the tax.
“SSB tax is a public health intervention, a nudge towards healthier choices, a disincentive to the excessive consumption of sugar. Studies have shown that a 10% SSB tax can lead to a significant decrease in consumption, particularly among low-income communities disproportionately affected by sugary drinks. The economic burden of treating chronic diseases far outweighs the tax revenue.
“It is important to ensure our celebrations are not poisoned by corporate exploitation. Let’s reject the bitter aftertaste of corporate greed and choose a sweet victory for public health, ” the Executive Director added.