Doctors Urge Tax Hikes on Unhealthy Goods as Youth NCD Risks Soar

 

Medical experts warn non-communicable diseases cost Thailand 1.6 trillion baht annually, urging urgent health tax reforms to protect young people.

 

Medical experts and public health organisations have called on the Thai government to introduce bold public health policies, including higher taxes on unhealthy products, to combat a sharp rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among young people.

 

The appeal was made at the 24th National Health Academic Conference in Nonthaburi, held under the banner "Sweet, Salty, Drunk, Smoke: The Chronic Trap of Unhealthy Products".

 

The event was jointly organised by the Centre for Research and Knowledge Management for Tobacco Control (TRC), the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the Ministry of Public Health, the Medical Council of Thailand, the National Health Commission Office, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Thailand.

 

 

A THB1.6 Trillion Economic Drain

Speaking at the conference, Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, warned that Thailand is confronting a critical public health emergency driven by NCDs, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.

 

According to a report by Krungthep Turakij, these conditions—triggered by tobacco, alcohol, diets high in sugar, fat, and salt, and physical inactivity—cause significant premature mortality and cost the national economy 1.6 trillion baht annually, representing 9.7% of Thailand's gross domestic product.
 

Dr Sopon identified these four product categories as Commercial Determinants of Health (CDoH), echoing United Nations warnings that such commercial factors pose a severe barrier to sustainable development.

 

 

 

Alarming Statistics Among Thai Youth

Prof Dr Prakit Vathesatogkit, representing the Thai NCD Network Alliance, presented troubling health data concerning Thai youths aged 10 to 19:

 

Obesity: 15.3% of young people are classified as obese.

High Blood Pressure: 10% suffer from hypertension.

Elevated Cholesterol: 36.1% exhibit high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Smoking: 18.4% actively smoke.

 

Prof Dr Prakit stressed that unless these risk factors are curbed through higher retail taxes, advertising bans, and reduced retail outlets, NCD rates will surge further, placing unsustainable pressure on the National Health Security Office (NHSO) budget.

 

 

 

Medical Council Demands Shift to Prevention

Prof Dr Somsri Pausawasdi, President of the Medical Council of Thailand, described NCDs as the "number one silent threat" to national health security, calling on authorities to prioritise disease prevention over treatment.

 

The Medical Council outlined three key demands:

 

Strict E-Cigarette Enforcement: Maintaining an absolute ban on imports and sales, alongside targeted crackdowns on online sales to minors.

 

Single-Tier Nicotine Taxation: Implementing a uniform tax structure across all nicotine items to eliminate market distortion and disincentivise consumption.

 

Reclassification of Nicotine: Formally listing nicotine as a controlled narcotic substance.

 

 

The 'Double Dividend' of Health Taxes

Dr Olivia Nieveras, Senior Public Health Specialist at WHO Thailand, endorsed health taxes as a cost-effective "Best Buy" measure.

 

She noted that increasing prices on harmful goods yields a "double dividend" by reducing the burden of chronic disease while simultaneously generating state revenue for reinvestment in public healthcare and education.

 

Reinforcing this approach, Suttipong Vasusopapol, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Health Commission Office, proposed elevating NCD management to a national agenda.

 

Recommendations include adopting behavioural economics ("Nudge" policies) to make healthy choices the default in schools and workplaces, creating a national health incentive scheme, and fostering a "Whole-of-Government" approach to urban planning and public health.