The Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has said that discussions are underway to reduce sugar subsidies and introduce a tax as part of efforts to promote healthier lifestyles and build a healthier generation, The edition reported.
Speaking at a press conference, Nazim told reporters that measures related to sugar fall under broader public health policies. Responding to a question from Mihaaru News, he said such steps are regulated within existing policy frameworks.
He noted that the government has recently implemented major health measures, including a generational ban on the sale and use of tobacco for individuals born from 2007 onwards, as well as a ban on vaping products.
тАЬWe are currently discussing issues related to sugar,тАЭ Nazim said.
The minister added that continued action to address public health concerns could help reduce excessive sugar consumption. However, he said the discussions are still at different stages and that any implementation would need to take place at the most appropriate time and under suitable conditions.
Nazim also said that cutting sugar subsidies and introducing taxes cannot be done by the health ministry alone, as such decisions require broader government approval. He added that the health sector is awaiting the introduction of such measures.
The Doctors’ Association has also called for an increase in taxes on sugary drinks.
The government spends a substantial amount on sugar subsidies, as sugar is one of the key imported food items in the country.
In a statement issued last October, the DoctorsтАЩ Association welcomed the governmentтАЩs anti-tobacco measures, describing them as an important investment in protecting future generations and supporting the goal of a healthier nation. The association has also recommended additional steps over the next five years, including bans on sheesha and tobacco flavours.
The government has stated that raising public awareness about these health issues is a priority this year.
