According to the Deputy Minister of Health, more than 50 per cent of adults and 30 per cent of children in the country are obese due to excessive sugar consumption. The government will raise the tax on sugary drinks to control the daily intake of sugar.
The first phase of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax was implemented in 2019, while the second phase will be implemented this year.
In the 2022 Budget, the Government proposes to increase the tax on sugary drinks from 1st April 2022 and extend the tax to cover blends of chocolate, cocoa malt, coffee and tea.
It is generally expected that there will be a 9.3% to 30.5% increase in the price of beverages after the Government starts imposing taxes on powdered beverages and increases the tax on sugary drinks. The cost of a 35 to 40 gram pack of 3-in-1 drinks will increase by 10 to 20 sen. Coffee and tea in coffee shops may also see price increases.
