{"id":477579,"date":"2025-12-29T12:16:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T12:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/477579\/"},"modified":"2025-12-29T12:16:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T12:16:14","slug":"uaes-new-sugar-tax-will-address-root-cause-of-rising-health-crises-experts-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/477579\/","title":{"rendered":"UAE’s new sugar tax will address ‘root cause’ of rising health crises, experts say"},"content":{"rendered":"

A tiered beverage tax set to launch in the UAE from January 1 is being hailed by medical and dental professionals as a \u201cgreat\u201d public health initiative that will finally address the \u201croot causes\u201d of the region\u2019s rising health crises. <\/p>\n

The new pricing system<\/a>, which was announced in July by the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Tax Authority, links the tax rate directly to the level of sugar content per 100ml, marking an evolution from the flat-rate tax on soft drinks introduced in 2017.<\/p>\n

Under the new pricing strategy, drinks containing between 5 and 8 grams of sugar per 100ml will be taxed at 79 fils (Dh0.79) per litre, while those containing 8g or more of sugar per 100ml will be subject to a tax of Dh1.09 per litre.<\/p>\n

Beverages with fewer than 5g of sugar per 100ml, as well as those containing only artificial sweeteners, will be exempt from the new taxation rules.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe policy encourages both manufacturers and consumers to choose low-sugar or natural-sugar alternatives,\u201d said Dr Ali Elhouni, a consultant endocrinologist at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital Al Qusais. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis method is more effective than the usual flat tax and this connects financial policy with health results, which is important in a place where obesity and type 2 diabetes rates among young people are increasing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Concern over obesity and diabetes<\/b><\/p>\n

The UAE obesity rates are forecasted to hit new highs by 2050, according to a Lancet study earlier this year. It showed that overweight and obesity prevalence among males aged 25-plus will increase from 84 per cent in 2021 to 94 per cent in 25 years, among the highest globally. For females, it is expected to rise to 95 per cent.<\/p>\n

As for type 2 diabetes, it is estimated that there is nearly a 21 per cent prevalence among the UAE\u2019s population as of 2024, according to the International Diabetes Federation. In the Middle East and North Africa region, it is believed 163 million people will have some form of diabetes by 2050, an increase from 85 million last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cCutting back on sugar can significantly improve long-term health,\u201d added Dr Elhouni. \u201cWhenever possible, individuals should opt for natural sugars found in fruits instead of sugary drinks, as the body can digest these sugars more effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n

International precedence <\/b><\/p>\n

While some may question whether these financial measures will lead to real-world change in the health space, international data suggests they do. <\/p>\n

For example, in Ireland, a Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax was introduced in 2018, with independent evaluations showing that sugar consumption from carbonated soft drinks fell by 30.2 per cent in retail purchases and 19.8 per cent in food service settings within a year.<\/p>\n

Similarly, the UK\u2019s soft drinks industry levy, which also came into effect in 2018, showed a significant drop in the amount of sugar in people\u2019s diets across the UK \u2013 about half in children and by a third in adults after the tax was announced in 2016 \u2013 according to the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.<\/p>\n

Protecting the next generation<\/b><\/p>\n

The medical community is particularly focused on how the tax might wean young people off high-sugar habits in the UAE. \u201cI wish more individuals would see that drinking high-sugar beverages is closely related to obesity and type 2 diabetes,\u201d said Dr Elhouni. \u201cEven slight decreases in the daily consumption of these drinks can lead to significant health improvements.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sugars in drinks can be easy to over-consume because they are not as filling as food, he added. \u201cBut they still add calories that can lead to weight gain and metabolic issues. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is why it\u2019s advised to eat whole fruits instead of drinking fruit juice, where it\u2019s easy to add more sugar for better taste.\u201d<\/p>\n

Good for your teeth<\/b><\/p>\n

It is not just metabolic health disorders, either, as high sugar consumption is also linked to faster dental decay. Dr David Roze, founder of Dubai\u2019s Roze BioHealth and BioDental Clinics, also \u201cstrongly\u201d supports the new sugar tax as it\u2019ll help address the imbalances he frequently sees in the oral microbiome. <\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a dental perspective, this policy tackles one of the root causes of disease,\u201d he told The National. \u201cReducing sugar exposure directly lowers rates of cavities, gum disease and tooth loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Roze said he commonly sees early signs of biological imbalances showing up in the mouth, such as aggressive tooth decay at a surprisingly young age, chronic gum inflammation and early bone loss around the teeth. There is often also advanced dental breakdown in patients with undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes or pre-diabetes. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe underlying pattern is often frequent and hidden sugar exposure not just from soft drinks, but from sweetened coffees, flavoured teas, energy drinks and products marketed as \u2018healthy\u2019,\u201d said Dr Roze. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen sugar is consumed continuously throughout the day, the mouth remains acidic for hours, disrupting the oral microbiome and allowing harmful bacteria to dominate.\u201d<\/p>\n

A shifting retail industry<\/b><\/p>\n

As obesity rates rise, there has been a move towards healthier lifestyles and decreased sugar consumption across the UAE in recent years, particularly in the retail sector. <\/p>\n

The country\u2019s healthy snacks industry is booming, as consumers demand more sugar-free, gluten-free, low-fat, plant-based and organic items. The healthy snacks market is expected to reach a projected revenue of more than $1 billion by 2033, a compound annual growth rate of 7.2 per cent, according to Grand View Research. <\/p>\n

As more manufacturers incorporate alternative and natural sweeteners, such as stevia, the UAE\u2019s sugar-free drinks market is also projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 9.3 per cent from this year, according to Deep Market Insights. <\/p>\n

\u201cBy pushing manufacturers to create products with lower sugar content and backing public awareness efforts about healthy eating, we might witness a slow decline in obesity and associated chronic illnesses over time,\u201d said Dr Elhouni. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis should be included in a wider health promotion plan that focuses on education, better access to nutritious foods and increased awareness of preventing chronic diseases,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

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