The initiative «3 by 35» is directed to tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks to reduce deaths and increase health and development financing
Geneva/Sevilla, July 2, 2025 (WHO) – The World Health Organization (WHO) has today launched a new important initiative that urges countries to increase real prices in tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks in at least 50% in 2035 through health taxes in a movement designed to stop chronic diseases and generate critical public income. The «3 for 35» initiative It comes at a time when health systems are under enormous tension due to the increase in non -communicable diseases (NCD), the reduction of development aid and growing public debt.
The consumption of tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks is feeding the NCD epidemic. The ENTs, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes, represent more than 75% of all deaths worldwide. A recent report shows that a unique increase in the price of 50% in these products could avoid 50 million premature deaths in the next 50 years.
«Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have,» said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, deputy director general, health promotion and disease prevention and control, WHO. «They cut the consumption of harmful products and create income governments can reinvest medical care, education and social protection. It is time to act.»
The initiative has an ambitious but attainable objective to raise US $ 1 billion in the next 10 years. Between 2012 and 2022, almost 140 countries increased tobacco taxes, which resulted in an increase in real prices by more than 50% on average, demonstrating that a large -scale change is possible.
From Colombia to South Africa, governments that have introduced health taxes have seen reduced consumption and an increase in income. However, many countries continue to provide tax incentives to unhealthy industries, including tobacco. In addition, long -term investment agreements with the industry that restrict tobacco tax increases can further undermine national health objectives. Who encourages governments to review and avoid such exemptions to support effective tobacco control and protect public health.
The strong collaboration is in the heart of the success of the «3 for 35» initiative. Directed by WHO, the initiative brings together a powerful group of global partners to help countries put health taxes. These organizations offer a combination of technical knowledge, policy advice and experience in the real world. When working together, its objective is to raise awareness about the benefits of health taxes and support efforts at the national level.
Many countries have expressed interest in the transition to more self -sufficient and financed health systems at the national level and are resorting to WHO to obtain guidance.
The initiative «3 by 35» introduces key action areas to help countries, matched the health policies tested with best practices in implementation. These include direct support for reforms led by the country with the following objectives in mind:
- Cut the harmful consumption reducing affordability;
Increase or enter special taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks to increase prices and reduce consumption, reducing future health costs and preventable deaths.
- Income increase to finance health and development;
Mobilize national public resources to finance essential health and development programs, including universal health coverage.
- Building broad political support in all ministries, civil society and academia;
Strengthen multisectoral alliances by involving finance and health ministries, parliamentarians, civil society and researchers to design and implement effective policies.
Who is calling countries, civil society and development partners who support the initiative «3 for 35» and commit themselves to smarter and fair taxes that protect health and accelerate progress towards sustainable development objectives.
