The World Health Organization warns that sugary drinks and alcohol are becoming cheaper globally because taxes are too low and rarely keep pace with inflation, driving increases in preventable diseases.

The UK has a sugar tax but some drinks, like 100% fruit juice and sweetened milk drinks are exempt, and the levy hasn’t been updated since it began in 2018. Alcohol duty is due to rise in February 2026 in the UK.

World Health Organization’s call to strengthen and regularly uprate health taxes directly aligns with UK prevention priorities and efforts to reduce long‑term health inequalities.