The Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria (SOLONg) has appealed to the Federal Government to impose heavy taxation on tobacco products and sugar-sweetened beverages as part of measures to encourage Nigerians to switch to healthier alternatives.
SOLONg made the appeal through its President, Dr. Moyosore Makinde, a Consultant Family Physician and Int’l Board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician, while speaking during a press conference to commemorate the 2023 Global Lifestyle Medicine week.
Dr. Moyosore said “Government is doing a lot to address substance abuse, but there are other products that are not tagged illegal, but consuming them causes a lot of health complications.
“Products such as tobacco and fizzy drinks are readily available to the public and are responsible for most of the non-communicable diseases,” she added.
The SOLONg President noted that the imposition of heavy taxation would make the products expensive, thereby making the public switch to healthier alternatives.
She said “this is a call for the government to enact policies that enable healthy lifestyle practices and restrict unhealthy behaviours.
“It is a prime time for medical institutions to accredit Lifestyle Medicine at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
“The entire public needs to embrace the principles of healthy behaviours which are life-changing and long-lasting. Let’s join hands together during this week and beyond to celebrate healthy behaviours and beat the root cause of prevailing lifestyle-related diseases,” she added.