Alcohol taxes aren't high enough, says World Health Organisation

FILE PHOTO: Bottles of alcoholic drinks are displayed at the Sausalitos bar in Munich, Germany, June 21, 2022. REUTERS/Lukas Barth/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation urged governments on Tuesday to increase taxes on alcoholic drinks and impose them on products that are currently exempt, such as wine in some European countries.

Sugary beverages should also be taxed at higher rates, the WHO said, adding that every year 2.6 million people die from drinking alcohol and 8 million people die due to unhealthy diets.