In a major setback for global public health, the final version of the United Nations’ 2025 Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) has been significantly weakened due to intense lobbying from the tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverage industries. Experts warn that the omission of key policy tools—like health taxes and explicit references to unhealthy food environments—undermines efforts to combat chronic diseases that kill 43 million people annually .
What Changed in the UN Declaration?
The original draft of the declaration included strong language urging member states to implement health taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), along with calls for graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging. However, the adopted version—released ahead of the September 25, 2025, high-level meeting—strips out these measures entirely .
Notably absent is any mention of sugary drinks, despite their well-documented role in the global rise of childhood obesity, which now affects 35 million children under age 5 worldwide .
- ❌ No recommendation for health taxes on sugary drinks, alcohol, or tobacco
- ❌ Removal of call for graphic cigarette packaging warnings
- ❌ Elimination of phrase linking obesity to “unhealthy food environments”
- ❌ No specific targets for reducing SSB consumption
Why This Matters for North America
In the U.S. alone, 19.7% of children and adolescents (ages 2–19) live with obesity—a figure that has risen steadily over the past decade . Chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, once rare in youth, are now increasingly common .
Public health advocates argue that without bold policy interventions—such as SSB taxes proven to reduce consumption by up to 19% in some countries —the U.S. and Canada will continue to fall short of global health targets.
Effectiveness of Sugary Drink Taxes: Global Evidence
| Country/Region | Tax Type | Consumption Drop | Health Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 10% excise tax | 12% reduction in purchases | Projected 189,000 fewer diabetes cases by 2030 |
| UK | Tiered sugar tax | ~29% drop in sugar per drink | Industry reformulation reduced sugar intake |
| South Africa | Health promotion levy | 22% decline in taxed beverages | Estimated $2.7B in healthcare savings |
| U.S. (Local: Berkeley, CA) | 1¢/oz tax | 52% drop in SSB consumption | Increased water intake in low-income communities |
Source: WHO & World Bank Global SSB Tax Database
How Industry Influence Shaped the Outcome
According to health policy analysts, the U.S. and other high-income nations—under pressure from corporate lobbyists—pushed for softer language that shifts blame from corporate practices to individual behavior. For instance, the phrase “obesity largely driven by unhealthy food environments” was replaced with a broader list that includes “stress” and “sleep deprivation” .
Before vs. After: UN Language Shift
- Original Draft: “Implement fiscal measures (e.g., taxes) on SSBs, alcohol, and tobacco.”
- Final Text: “Consider evidence-based policies to promote healthy diets.”
From action to ambiguity
What’s Next for Public Health Advocates?
Despite the diluted UN declaration, grassroots movements and local governments in North America continue to push for change. Cities like Seattle, Philadelphia, and Boulder have implemented SSB taxes with measurable success .
“The federal silence doesn’t mean local action stops,” said Dr. Elena Martinez, a public health researcher at Johns Hopkins. “Communities are taking matters into their own hands.”
For more on local policy solutions, see our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:sugary-drink-taxes-in-the-u-s].
Looking Ahead: Can 2030 Targets Be Met?
With no country on track to meet the original 2025 NCD mortality reduction goals , the weakened UN declaration raises serious doubts about global progress. Chronic diseases still account for 75% of all deaths worldwide , and without structural interventions, experts fear worsening inequities.
As Verónica Schoj of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator put it: “The watered-down language is disappointing and concerning” .
