In Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Health has proposed reforming the excise tax system for sugary drinks and products with high salt content. This initiative was announced during a working meeting held at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.
Representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, the State Tax Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as international organizations such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF attended the meeting. Members of leading business associations in the country were also invited to discuss this issue.
Currently, a uniform excise tax rate of 3 soms per liter is established for sugary drinks, regardless of the actual sugar content. This means that drinks with varying levels of sugar are taxed equally.
The Ministry of Health proposes to implement a differentiated excise system, where the tax rate will depend on the sugar content in the drink. The following scale is proposed:
- up to 5 g of sugar per 100 ml — 5 soms per liter;
- 5–8 g — 7 soms per liter;
- 8–11 g — 9 soms per liter;
- over 11 g — 11 soms per liter.
Additionally, the initiative includes introducing an excise tax on energy drinks at 20 soms per liter, considering their high sugar and caffeine content, which can negatively affect the health of adolescents.
A similar approach is proposed for salty snacks, including chips and salted crackers. In the new model, the excise will depend on the salt level in the product: from a zero rate for up to 1.2 g of salt per 100 g to 20 soms per 100 g for more than 2.5 g.
During the discussion, participants considered the possible consequences of the new system, its impact on public health, and the economic aspects for producers and consumers. Business associations presented their comments and suggestions regarding this initiative.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that this initiative is part of a long-term state policy aimed at reducing the level of non-communicable diseases.
Representatives from the World Health Organization and UNICEF supported the proposed measures. As noted by Alina Altymyshova from WHO, similar mechanisms are already being implemented in 116 countries to reduce the consumption of products high in sugar and salt.
Deputy Minister of Health Temirbek Erkinov emphasized that nutrition-related issues and associated diseases pose a serious problem for the country's healthcare system. According to the National Statistical Committee for 2023, about 9% of children in Kyrgyzstan suffer from overweight. At the same time, 78% of children regularly consume sugary drinks, and 75% of children aged 6 to 23 months eat unhealthy food.
"In our country, there are over 84,000 registered cases of diabetes, and this number increases by 5,000 to 7,000 each year. The government's expenses for hemodialysis alone exceed 2 billion soms per year," Erkinov noted.
He added that reducing the consumption of products high in sugar and salt is an important step in disease prevention and protecting public health.
All revenues from the new excise taxes will be directed to the state budget, and a comparable amount of funds is planned to be used for disease prevention programs, treatment, and the development of the healthcare system.
The Ministry of Health intends to continue consultations with government structures, the business community, and international partners to develop final decisions on this initiative.
The article "The Ministry of Health Proposes to Increase Excise Taxes on Sugary Drinks and Salty Products in Kyrgyzstan" was first published on K-News.
