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Speaking in a statement issued Friday, Tufton said the initiative is aimed at encouraging moderation, improving national health outcomes, and lowering the country’s disease burden, while maintaining constructive engagement with beverage manufacturers.
The comments followed Thursday’s budget presentation by Finance Minister Fayval Williams, which introduced a special consumption tax of $0.02 per millilitre on non-alcoholic sweetened beverages. The measure is expected to take effect in the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year and is projected to generate $10.1 billion in revenue.
Tufton noted that he has long advocated for reducing sugar levels in soft drinks, recalling that in his 2018/19 sectoral debate he announced restrictions on certain sugary beverages in schools and public health facilities beginning in January 2019.
He reiterated that lower consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks could translate into healthier families and a healthier nation, with potential reductions in obesity and diabetes.
Recent Ministry of Health data indicate that Jamaica ranks among the world’s top consumers of sugary beverages. Estimates suggest between 70 and 86 per cent of children and 77 per cent of adults consume at least one sugary drink daily — a pattern linked to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Tufton stressed the urgency of addressing this trend, particularly among lower socio-economic groups, while calling for balanced, non-confrontational discussions with industry players and encouraging product reformulation.
The Ministry also referenced analysis from PwC Jamaica, which suggested that applying lower tax rates to beverages with reduced sugar content — and higher rates to those above a defined threshold — could incentivise manufacturers to reformulate products while still generating revenue.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from William Mahfood, chairman of Wisynco Group, who warned the levy could disproportionately affect low-income households without significantly changing consumption patterns.
In response, the Health Ministry cited research from its Health Promotion and Protection Branch, led by Dr Simone Spence, which highlighted Jamaica’s heavy burden of non-communicable diseases linked to sugary beverage consumption. The paper noted that affordability and widespread availability of sweetened drinks contribute to unhealthy diets and long-term health risks.
The ministry also pointed to international examples where similar taxes have reduced consumption, including Mexico, United Kingdom, South Africa, Barbados, and Chile.
Tufton has expressed support for tiered tax rates based on sugar content and urged local manufacturers to follow reformulation models adopted overseas.
A 2016 report by the World Health Organization warned that low taxes on sugary and alcoholic drinks in some countries have made them increasingly affordable, contributing to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers — particularly among young people.
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s 2016/2017 Health and Lifestyle Survey revealed that one in eight Jamaicans aged 15 and older lives with diabetes. Although over 90 per cent are receiving treatment, only about 27 per cent have their condition under control.
Our Opinion
The sugary drinks tax represents a significant policy shift toward prevention-focused healthcare. While concerns about affordability are valid, international evidence suggests that well-designed beverage taxes can change consumption habits and encourage healthier product options. For Jamaica, success will depend on transparent implementation, meaningful industry cooperation, and strong public education to ensure long-term health gains outweigh short-term economic concerns.
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