HEALTH Minister Dr Christopher Tufton is rejecting arguments that the new sugar tax policy is targeting the poor, and is instead suggesting that the burden of lifestyle diseases already falls disproportionately on vulnerable groups.

Speaking Wednesday at the National Health Fund (NHF) card benefits expansion launch at S Hotel in St Andrew, Dr Tufton said the methods of preventing lifestyle diseases, particularly targeting Jamaica’s sugar consumption, are a critical part of the solution to these issues.

He argued that criticism surrounding the recently announced special consumption tax (SCT) on sugary drinks ignores the scientific link between sugar consumption and obesity, which he says later develops into life-altering chronic diseases.

The new SCT of $0.02 per millilitre on non-alcoholic sweetened beverages applies to sodas, fruit-flavoured drinks, and any non-alcoholic beverages containing added sugar or other caloric/non-nutritive sweeteners, whether carbonated or non-carbonated, and whether manufactured locally or imported.

“Last year, 2025, the NHF spent almost $7 billion treating conditions that were linked to obesity — scientifically linked; diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. And the truth is, while free sugars are not the only source, it is a primary source. Why? Because in Jamaica, we drink more sugary drinks on a per capita basis than most other countries throughout the world,” said the minister.

He said those who argue about the impact of the tax on the poor, fail to argue the other side of the equation.

“It is disproportionately affecting those who are in the low socioeconomic group, which disproportionately affects their own health profile, which disproportionately places them under greater burden for severe illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and otherwise; and of course, the NHF has to respond,” he said.

The health minister told the launch that policy intervention is necessary to shift behaviour at both the individual and industry levels.

“So when we talk about a sugary drink tax, for starters, it’s not just about discouraging people from drinking sugary drinks. It’s about encouraging manufacturers to reformulate and take some of the sugar out of their sugary drinks,” he said.

While maintaining that individuals have a right to choose what they consume, he also stressed that collective responsibility must guide public health policy on the route to lowering instances of chronic illness in Jamaica.

“There are significant negative impacts on excessive consumption of sugar. And if you choose obesity as a risk-mitigating factor, the evidence is very clear how it ultimately ends up — sick time, low productivity, more cost for health, and more burden on the taxpayers. There is no winner in a society that is perennially ill or heading to illness in a premature way,” said Tufton.

— Renae Osbourne