Sugar-Sweetened Beverages In The United Arab Emirates-A Call For Public Health Action
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This policy council document addresses the high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in the UAE and its connection to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Despite implementing an Excise Tax on SSBs in 2019, research showed minimal impact on consumption patterns. The council identified challenges including adolescent type 2 diabetes, easy access to SSBs, and limited education on healthy lifestyles. The report presents ten comprehensive policy recommendations: establishing a governing body for healthy lifestyles, developing a strategy linked to SDGs, supporting organizational policies in schools and workplaces, utilizing public health frameworks, using demographic data in policy design, strengthening legislation for taxation and labeling, mandating industry social responsibility, supporting innovative strategies, developing awareness campaigns, and implementing rigorous monitoring systems. The document emphasizes that reducing SSB consumption requires collaboration between public, private, and voluntary sectors across three dimensions: behavior change, interventions, and policy measures to significantly reduce the burden of NCDs and improve quality of life in the UAE.