EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION of sugary drinks and the prevalence of single-use plastics (SUPs) pose significant threats to public health and the environment in Nigeria, experts have warned.
The issue was spotlighted during a webinar organised by the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), titled “SSB and Climate Change: Climate Cost of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.”
Speakers linked sugary beverages to rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
Public health expert Dr Francis Fagbule emphasised the harm caused by sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), noting their high levels of free sugars with minimal nutritional value.
He criticised the industry’s marketing strategies, which often ignore the known health risks.
Fagbule also called for implementing a stronger SSB tax, suggesting that the revenue could bolster Nigeria’s health sector to provide better care for NCD patients.
“Reducing SSB consumption is critical to addressing these health challenges,” he said.
Beyond health risks, the environmental impact of SUPs used to package these drinks adds to the crisis.
CAPPA’s Senior Programmes Manager, Olamide Martins Ogunlade, highlighted the link between SUPs and climate change.
“Plastics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions throughout their lifecycle, especially during disposal when incinerated, releasing toxic pollutants,” Ogunlade explained.
He warned that microplastics from discarded plastics contaminate food, water, and soil, posing risks to marine biodiversity and human health.
Nigeria’s plastic consumption has surged over the last 15 years, with less than 12% being recycled.
Ogunlade urged the government and manufacturers to adopt stricter policies, such as the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, and to prioritise alternative, sustainable packaging solutions.
As the event wrapped up, the experts agreed that addressing the twin challenges of SSB consumption and plastic pollution is essential for improving public health and mitigating climate impacts in Nigeria.
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