Problem |
Current understanding of the problem of NR-NCDs |
NR-NCDs considered a national problem, resulting in premature death & loss of productivity
NR-NCDs impact on individual, family & community because of high cost of lifelong treatment & loss of productivity
NR-NCDs recognised as an outcome of increased urbanisation
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Primary focus of food policy is undernutrition and food security rather than unhealthy diet related to NR-NCDs
Sugar not specified as a target risk factor for NR-NCDs – no explicit target for sugar consumption reduction
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Policy |
Existing policy environment addressing NCD intervention |
Multi-sectoral approach to address NR-NCDs prevention
Coherence between central and community-based interventions
Excise tax of 39% levied on SSBs and non-SSBs; to increase Government revenue, not designed to support healthy consumption behaviour
Beverage consumption considered to be elastic; sensitive to price in the last five years
NR-NCDs interventions rely heavily on Government funding, which is considered to be unsustainable
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SSB industry is one component of vision for national economic development
Public–private partnerships exist to maximise value chain from growing, manufacturing and marketing of sugar-containing products, including SSBs
Policy incoherence between Government’s vision for sugar industry and health goals to tackle NR-NCDs
Access to quality drinking water, which is still a major challenge for large proportion of population, may encourage consumption of SSBs.
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Politics |
Stakeholder politics and SSB taxation |
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Beverage industry is a duopoly, dominated by one large company – a subsidiary of a multi-national beverages concern
Local industry positions itself as good corporate citizen by providing jobs, paying taxes, and investing in social development
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