Promoting health taxes for a better Zambia

Our health.
Our future.
Our Zambia.

Zambia is facing a growing health crisis driven by tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption and sugary drinks. These products are fuelling cancer, diabetes, heart disease, road accidents and broken families. Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have to protect lives, reduce disease and strengthen our health system.

Understand health taxes Explore the FAQs

A Zambian family sharing a healthy meal together at home

Our focus

Three products. One healthier Zambia.

Tobacco

One of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide — and Zambia is not spared.

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Alcohol

Harmful alcohol use affects more than the drinker: families, roads and communities.

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Sugar-sweetened beverages

A major driver of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, especially in children.

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Protect health. Choose prevention. Support health taxes.

About health taxes

What are health taxes?

Health taxes are taxes applied to products that are harmful to health, such as tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages. These products increase the risk of serious diseases and place a heavy burden on families, communities and the healthcare system.

Health taxes work in two powerful ways:

They reduce consumption of harmful products
They generate revenue for health and social services

Health taxes:

Reduce consumption of harmful products
Protect children and young people
Save families from preventable illness
Help fund healthcare and prevention programmes

Why health taxes matter in Zambia

Zambia is already dealing with:

Overcrowded hospitals
Rising cases of cancer, diabetes and heart disease
Alcohol-related violence and road accidents
Families pushed deeper into poverty due to medical costs

Prevention is cheaper than treatment. Health taxes help stop disease before it starts.

Who benefits

Who do health taxes protect?

Children and young people
Low-income families
Women affected by alcohol-related violence
The national health system
Future generations

Health taxes are not punishment, they are protection.

Health impacts

The cost to our health

Tobacco & health

Tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide, and Zambia is not spared. Smoking causes cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke. Second-hand smoke also harms children and non-smokers, especially in homes and public spaces.

Cigarettes don't care about families. Health taxes do.

Why tobacco taxes matter

Higher tobacco prices reduce smoking, especially among youth
Fewer smokers means fewer cancer patients
Families save money and live longer

Alcohol & health

Harmful alcohol use affects more than just the drinker. It contributes to:

Domestic violence
Road traffic accidents
Mental health problems
Loss of productivity
Broken families

Alcohol should never be cheaper than health.

How alcohol taxes help

Reduce harmful consumption
Protect women and children
Improve public safety
Reduce alcohol-related injuries and deaths

Sugar-sweetened beverages & health

Sugary drinks are a major driver of:

Obesity: Excess sugar contributes to weight gain and childhood obesity.
Type 2 diabetes: High sugar intake increases blood sugar levels and risk of diabetes.
Heart disease: Sugar affects cholesterol and blood pressure, increasing cardiovascular risk.
Dental problems: Tooth decay, cavities and gum disease from frequent sugar consumption.
Liver disease: Excess sugar can lead to fatty liver and liver dysfunction.
Metabolic syndrome: Combined effects of obesity, high blood pressure and blood sugar increase disease risk.

Children and young people are especially vulnerable. Many develop lifelong health problems before adulthood.

Impact on children and youth

Poor growth and nutrition due to high-calorie, low-nutrient drinks.
Increased risk of diabetes and obesity early in life.
Lower concentration and learning outcomes due to sugar spikes and crashes.
Early habit formation, leading to long-term unhealthy eating patterns.

Social and lifestyle consequences

Increased healthcare costs for families due to preventable diseases.
Reduced physical performance and energy for work and school.
Greater burden on families caring for children or relatives with sugar-related illnesses.

Economic and national consequences

Rising medical costs for preventable diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Reduced productivity due to illness or disability.
Increased strain on Zambia's healthcare system.
Long-term economic loss from premature deaths and chronic illness.

Emotional and mental health impacts

Sugar spikes and crashes can contribute to mood swings, fatigue and irritability.
Chronic disease and obesity can lead to stigma, anxiety and low self-esteem.

Where does the money go?