Fiji is considering expanding its excise tax framework that currently targets sugar-sweetened beverages, high-sugar foods, and unhealthy snacks. The proposal includes potential taxes on foods containing trans fats as well as additional categories of sugar-rich drinks. This initiative is outlined in the Fiji Health Sector Review 2024, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
The report emphasizes the necessity of employing value-added tax (VAT) to address sugar-sweetened beverages and unhealthy food items. It advocates for strategies that concentrate on lifestyle risk factors, aiming to postpone the onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and limit the progression of multi-morbidity. The review suggests that achieving these goals necessitates collaborative efforts that extend beyond the health sector, engaging various stakeholders and ministries, thus presenting substantial returns on investment.
Furthermore, the report points out that while Fiji has successfully utilized taxation to deter tobacco consumption, there is room for improvement. Currently, the proportion of retail cigarette prices accounted for by excise taxes in Fiji is significantly lower than in Australia and the Cook Islands.
The document also endorses the recent revisions to the Healthy School Policy by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, which are aimed at promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits among school children. However, it underscores that effective implementation of these initiatives is crucial.
This comprehensive approach signifies a proactive step towards improving public health in Fiji, and if successful, could set a precedent for similar initiatives in other regions facing health challenges related to diet and lifestyle.
In summary, Fiji is on the verge of advancing its health policies by considering taxation on unhealthy foods and promoting healthier lifestyles among its citizens. This could greatly benefit the country’s overall health outcomes in the long term.
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