Fiji is being urged to enhance its current excise tax system for sugar-sweetened beverages, high-sugar foods, and unhealthy snacks by incorporating taxes on foods containing trans fats and additional sugary drinks. This recommendation comes from the Fiji Health Sector Review 2024, launched by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
The report suggests that the value-added tax (VAT) could be employed to further target sugar-sweetened beverages and unhealthy foods. It emphasizes the necessity for effective strategies to address lifestyle risk factors that contribute to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), aiming to postpone the onset of these conditions and reduce the occurrence of multi-morbidity.
Furthermore, the report stresses the importance of collaborative efforts that extend beyond the health sector, involving various stakeholders and ministries to ensure a greater return on investments aimed at improving public health.
Fiji has made strides in using taxation to discourage tobacco use, but it has room for growth; for instance, the excise tax on cigarettes in Fiji comprises only about half of the percentage seen in countries like Australia and the Cook Islands.
The report also commends the revision to the Healthy School Policy by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, which seeks to promote physical activity and healthy eating habits among children. However, it underlines that the success of these initiatives will depend significantly on their effective implementation.
In summary, Fiji stands at a pivotal point to improve public health through strategic taxation and policy reforms. By addressing the consumption of unhealthy foods and fostering healthier lifestyles, the nation could not only combat NCDs but also enhance the well-being of its population. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates a hopeful commitment to a healthier future for Fijians.
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