Academics support health tax measures to control sugar, salt, and tobacco to reduce non-communicable disease patients
Currently, the health problems of Thai people have become a matter of concern, especially regarding non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which are primarily caused by the consumption of overly sweet and salty foods, as well as smoking and alcohol consumption.
Health data from 2021 revealed that 9.9 million Thai people aged 15 and over, or 17.4 percent, smoked. These behaviors are major risk factors that lead to NCDs, impacting both the quality of life of the public and the country's public health expenditure burden.
To address this issue, health academics have come out in support of stricter 'Health Taxes,' focusing on levying taxes on products that are harmful to health, such as high-sugar beverages, foods with excessive sodium, as well as tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
Increasing taxes on these groups of products will not only help reduce public consumption but also generate revenue for the government to support public health projects and long-term healthcare for the people.
In conclusion, the implementation of health tax measures is considered a way to change consumer behavior in order to reduce the rate of illness from NCDs, which will have a positive effect on the overall health of Thai people and help sustainably reduce the burden on the Thai public health system.