Increase in Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption Projected to Soar by 50% as Percted by WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the "3 by 35" initiative, a significant step towards funding the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The initiative, funded in part by Bloomberg Philanthropies, aims to increase prices for tobacco products, alcohol, and sugary drinks by 50 percent three times by 2035.
The initiative is estimated to prevent a significant number of premature deaths and generate substantial revenues for global health and social welfare. A key projection indicates that a one-time 50% price increase could prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years. By targeting these products, the WHO directly addresses the leading causes of mortality and disability globally, especially tobacco, which alone causes over 7 million deaths annually.
The 3 by 35 Initiative is expected to mobilize approximately US$1 trillion in additional public revenue globally over the next decade, with more optimistic analyses suggesting up to US$3.7 trillion within five years if taxes effectively raise prices by 50% worldwide. Governments can reinvest this revenue into critical sectors such as healthcare systems, education, and social protection, helping to fund universal health coverage and sustainable development goals (SDGs) amidst declining official development assistance (ODA) and rising public debt.
Nearly 140 countries have already raised tobacco taxes between 2012 and 2022, achieving over a 50% price increase on average, demonstrating that large-scale implementation of the initiative’s principles is feasible. The WHO is also emphasizing multisectoral collaboration by engaging ministries of finance and health, parliamentarians, civil society, and academia to strengthen political will and effective policy design.
In conclusion, the "3 by 35" Initiative represents a bold, evidence-backed strategy to address global health challenges and financing gaps. The approach is highly effective in its dual goals: reducing premature deaths linked to NCDs by curbing tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drink consumption, and generating substantial and sustainable domestic revenue that supports healthcare and social priorities. With strong early signals of impact and broad international buy-in, the WHO's "3 by 35" initiative presents a promising solution in the fight against NCDs.
- The WHO's "3 by 35" initiative is focused on science-based strategies to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes in the workplace-wellness sector.
- One of the primary goals of the initiative is to manage medical conditions such as chronic diseases more effectively, contributing to overall health and wellness.
- The initiative aims to prevent premature deaths associated with chronic diseases by increasing prices for tobacco products, alcohol, and sugary drinks by 50 percent three times by 2035, resulting in substantial revenues for global health and social welfare.
- By targeting these products, the WHO is directly addressing the leading causes of mortality and disability globally, including cancer, a major medical concern.
- In addition to tobacco, the initiative also emphasizes fitness and exercise, mental health, therapies and treatments, nutrition, and cardiovascular health as key components of a comprehensive approach to health and wellness.
- The revenues generated from the 3 by 35 Initiative can be reinvested into critical sectors like healthcare systems, education, and social protection, supporting universal health coverage and the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
