Noncommunicable diseases: what ministries of finance, tax and revenue need to know

Overview

KEY POINTS

• Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a drag on the economy. 
• Fiscal policies can generate substantial additional revenue for the government, while improving public health. 
• Preventing NCDs makes economic sense. 
• Price and tax measures are very effective at getting people to quit tobacco use and reduce consumption of alcohol as well as unhealthy foods and beverages.
• Price and tax measures can be used to actively encourage healthier behaviours and consumption of healthier products.
• Industry interference is a major challenge: ministries of finance, tax and revenue must be alert to the myths spread by industry. 
• Ministries of finance, tax and revenue need to collect robust data to see the impacts of tax and price policies.

Other languages

Arabic; Chinese; French; Spanish; Russian.

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