Jamaica’s Health and Wellness Minister Chris Tufton has said the government’s newly announced tax on sugary drinks will not be a burden on the public if people choose to reduce how much they consume, CNW reported.
Speaking on Friday after meeting senior officials at his ministry, Tufton said the aim of the measure is to encourage people to drink less sugar, improve public health and reduce illnesses linked to diet, while keeping discussions with beverage makers open.
He said efforts to cut sugar levels in soft drinks were already under way before Finance Minister Fayval Williams announced the levy on Thursday.
Tufton said lowering the consumption of sugary drinks could help improve family health and reduce cases of diabetes and obesity. He recalled that during the 2018–19 parliamentary debate on his ministry’s plans, the government announced restrictions on certain sugary drinks in schools and public health facilities starting in January 2019, as part of the response to rising obesity.
At the time, he clarified that sugary drinks referred to beverages with sugar added during manufacturing, and did not include 100 per cent fruit juice or unsweetened milk.
The new tax, outlined in the Ministry Paper on Revenue Measures for the 2026–27 financial year, proposes a charge of $0.02 per millilitre on non-alcoholic sweetened drinks. The government expects the measure to raise about $10.1 billion in the 2026–27 fiscal year, with implementation planned for the first quarter of the new financial year.
An analysis by PwC Jamaica said the tax could influence consumer choices. The firm suggested that lower tax rates for drinks with less sugar and higher rates for those with more sugar could encourage producers to reduce sugar levels, while still generating revenue.
The proposal has drawn criticism from some industry leaders. William Mahfood, chairman of the Wisynco Group, warned that the tax could place a heavier burden on lower-income households without bringing meaningful health improvements.
Tufton urged beverage manufacturers to adjust their products by using less sugar. He said the issue should be addressed through open and balanced discussions, while recognising the serious health risks linked to high sugary drink consumption, particularly among low-income groups.
