For Immediate Release
Wednesday July 2, 2025, Geneva
Statement by Alison Cox, Director of Policy and Advocacy, NCD Alliance
On
WHO "3 by 35" Initiative urging countries to raise real prices on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035
NCD Alliance fully backs the WHOs "3 by 35" initiative because raising taxes on unhealthy products delivers a triple win - saving lives, reducing health costs, and generating much needed revenue. In these turbulent times for global health these taxes may become even more vital.
It is shocking to see how many countries are missing this opportunity: as the WHO reported last week, globally the average taxt share for cigarettes has barely increased in the last decade, with 134 out of 180 countries where cigarettes are equally or more affordable than they were ten years ago.
Governments must stop losing out on one of the most cost-effective tools in the fight against NCDs. The UN High Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health is an opportunity to call out health harming industries and argue the public health and economic case for taxes on tobacco, alcohol and junk food.