Latest news with #VitalStrategies
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
New interactive data modelling tool shows economic, health gains of raising tobacco taxes
A new, interactive modelling tool demonstrates how countries can use tobacco taxes to quickly generate millions in new revenue, reduce smoking, increase economic productivity and recover millions in healthcare expenses on treatment of smoking-related illnesses. The Cost Recovery and Revenue Estimator (CoRRE) uses recent data from more than 100 countries to estimate the tax revenue gain possible depending on different potential tax scenarios. At a webinar held on Tuesday, Jeffrey Drope, director of the Economics for Health team at Johns Hopkins University, and Nigar Nargis, senior scientific director, American Cancer Society provided an overview of current trends in tobacco control and a demonstration of the interactive modelling tool. Developed by Vital Strategies, American Cancer Society and the Economics for Health team at Johns Hopkins University, CoRRE is designed for the public health community, advocates and policymakers to assess the economic and health gains possible by raising tax on tobacco products. 'Decades of research shows that these tax reforms consistently raise considerable new tax revenues while saving lives and generally making societies healthier, including driving down the incidence of multiple cancers, among many other noncommunicable diseases,' Nargis said while responding to queries. CoRRE was developed as part of the latest edition of The Tobacco Atlas, which also provides in-depth analysis on tobacco use prevalence, taxes and many other tobacco control policies and programmes around the world. Experts also strongly advocated for tobacco taxes as one of the most effective—yet underutilised—strategies to prevent tobacco initiation, encourage cessation, and reduce overall tobacco use. Drope observed that the annual cost of tobacco use is staggering. 'Eight million lives are lost each year globally and around $2 trillion in economic damage – much of that from the average of 11 years of life that smokers lose. This means lower economic productivity,' he said during the webinar. As per The Tobacco Atlas, 8.9 per cent of all deaths in India are caused by tobacco use. The economic cost of smoking and tobacco use in India is approximately Rs 1.97 lakh crore each year. This includes direct costs related to healthcare expenditures and indirect costs related to lost productivity caused by illness and premature death. Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
Business Recorder
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Rs415 billion in losses raise alarms over tobacco enforcement
While regulators tighten the noose around Pakistan's formal tobacco sector, the real threat is expanding in plain sight. Illicit cigarette brands—untaxed, unregulated, and widely available—have captured more than half the market. They pay nothing, follow no rules, and yet continue to grow. The law is chasing what is visible, not what is dangerous. The formal industry, despite contributing nearly Rs270 billion in taxes each year, now controls only 46 percent of the market. The remaining share belongs to illegal operators selling cigarettes at a fraction of legal prices. This thriving black market is causing an annual loss of over Rs415 billion revenue that could have supported healthcare, education, or debt relief. Instead, it is being lost to unchecked trade networks and lack of enforcement. Much of the blame lies with those who claimed to champion public health. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies ran campaigns targeting the regulated industry while staying silent on the illicit trade that now dominates the market. Last year, the government shut down both INGOs for operating without registration, funding local entities without approvals, and engaging in policy circles unlawfully. Their work, once seen as advocacy, is now under scrutiny for policy interference and regulatory evasion. 'This is not about tobacco anymore,' said Fawad Khan, spokesperson for Mustehkam Pakistan. 'It is about survival. When lawbreakers take over the market and face no consequences, the whole system starts to collapse. We are rewarding the illegal and punishing the legal—and everyone in the country is paying for it.' At the same time, the IMF continues to push Pakistan to broaden its tax base and reduce leakages. But fiscal targets cannot be met if entire sectors remain outside the net. Experts argue that unless enforcement expands to include illegal trade, even the most disciplined revenue policies will fall short. The issue is no longer about raising taxes—it is about applying them fairly.
Cision Canada
03-06-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
FIFA Under Pressure to Kick Big Soda Out Amid Health Backlash
Global health leaders call foul on Coca-Cola's role in the world's game NEW YORK, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ -- A powerful coalition of global health experts and advocates is calling on FIFA to end its decades-long partnership with Coca-Cola, accusing the company of "sportswashing" the health harms linked to its sugary drinks. The Kick Big Soda Out campaign highlights how Coca-Cola's sponsorship directly undermines FIFA's stated commitments to health and fair play. Ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, campaigners are urging immediate action to protect fans—especially children—from misleading brand associations. Kick Big Soda Out gained global momentum during the 2024 Paris Olympics, with more than 255,000 petition signatories and 93 organizations calling on the International Olympic Committee to end its Coca-Cola partnership. However, a Vital Strategies report found 78% of media coverage framed Coca-Cola's sponsorship in a favorable light, emphasizing its brand promotion, shared values or economic benefits, while only 2% of articles criticized the partnership as a primary theme—citing concerns like exploitation, health risks or unethical practices. "FIFA claims to champion health, but its deep ties with Coca-Cola say otherwise," said Trish Cotter, Vital Strategies. "By giving Coca-Cola a platform across stadiums, broadcasts and social media, FIFA is promoting a product linked to rising rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This is blatant 'sportswashing,' and it erodes both public health and FIFA's credibility." Now, football fans and advocates are demanding FIFA end its partnership with Coca-Cola in the second wave of Kick Big Soda Out across YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. "FIFA can choose to protect the integrity of football, rather than continue to give corporations an unparalleled opportunity to sanitize their image," said Dr. Simón Barquera, President, World Obesity Federation. "By rejecting Big Soda, FIFA can finally practice what it preaches." Kick Big Soda Out spotlights mounting global evidence associating excess sugar consumption with noncommunicable diseases. In low-income countries—where these conditions are rising at alarming rates—Big Soda aggressively markets sugary drinks to millions of consumers. "This is a decisive moment for FIFA. Big Soda advertising encourages unhealthy choices among children. Restricting marketing is essential to support children's health and wellbeing," said Carolina Piñeros, Red PaPaz. Supporters can join the movement demanding FIFA end its Coca-Cola partnership at and use #KickBigSodaOutofSport to join the conversation.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FIFA Under Pressure to Kick Big Soda Out Amid Health Backlash
Global health leaders call foul on Coca-Cola's role in the world's game NEW YORK, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ -- A powerful coalition of global health experts and advocates is calling on FIFA to end its decades-long partnership with Coca-Cola, accusing the company of "sportswashing" the health harms linked to its sugary drinks. The Kick Big Soda Out campaign highlights how Coca-Cola's sponsorship directly undermines FIFA's stated commitments to health and fair play. Ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, campaigners are urging immediate action to protect fans—especially children—from misleading brand associations. Kick Big Soda Out gained global momentum during the 2024 Paris Olympics, with more than 255,000 petition signatories and 93 organizations calling on the International Olympic Committee to end its Coca-Cola partnership. However, a Vital Strategies report found 78% of media coverage framed Coca-Cola's sponsorship in a favorable light, emphasizing its brand promotion, shared values or economic benefits, while only 2% of articles criticized the partnership as a primary theme—citing concerns like exploitation, health risks or unethical practices. "FIFA claims to champion health, but its deep ties with Coca-Cola say otherwise," said Trish Cotter, Vital Strategies. "By giving Coca-Cola a platform across stadiums, broadcasts and social media, FIFA is promoting a product linked to rising rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This is blatant 'sportswashing,' and it erodes both public health and FIFA's credibility." Now, football fans and advocates are demanding FIFA end its partnership with Coca-Cola in the second wave of Kick Big Soda Out across YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. "FIFA can choose to protect the integrity of football, rather than continue to give corporations an unparalleled opportunity to sanitize their image," said Dr. Simón Barquera, President, World Obesity Federation. "By rejecting Big Soda, FIFA can finally practice what it preaches." Kick Big Soda Out spotlights mounting global evidence associating excess sugar consumption with noncommunicable diseases. In low-income countries—where these conditions are rising at alarming rates—Big Soda aggressively markets sugary drinks to millions of consumers. "This is a decisive moment for FIFA. Big Soda advertising encourages unhealthy choices among children. Restricting marketing is essential to support children's health and wellbeing," said Carolina Piñeros, Red PaPaz. Supporters can join the movement demanding FIFA end its Coca-Cola partnership at and use #KickBigSodaOutofSport to join the conversation. Media Contact: Rachel Burns, rburns@ View original content: SOURCE Vital Strategies View original content:
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
These Three Cities Honored For Their Public Health Achievements
Yes, the world is becoming more city, as I've described before in Forbes. That's city with a 'c,' meaning an increasing percentage of the world's population is living in urban settings. That means that cities are playing increasing roles in more and more people's health. That role can be bad if cities allow pollution, crime, accidents and other health threats to grow. Or it can be good as evidenced by the three cities that earned the 2025 Partnership for Healthy Cities Awards given during the 2025 edition of the Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit held in March in Paris, France. The Summit was co-hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Health Organization (WHO), Vital Strategies, and, of course, the City of Paris. It brought together mayors and officials from 61 different cities around the world that are already part of the Partnership for Healthy Cities network. Kelly Larson, MPH, who directs this Partnership for Bloomberg Philanthropies, indicated that this global network now has all told 74 cities. It was initially launched in 2017 and has steadily grown since. 'The first step in joining this network is to have buy in from the mayor or the equivalent,' she explained. 'It includes high, middle and low income cities.' She added, 'We've identified specific non-communicable disease or injury issues that the cities can choose from to work on: tobacco, food policy, road safety, overdose prevention, pollution surveillance and most recently dealing with heat.' During the Summit the participants discussed the biggest public health issues facing cities and the world and how to, you know, actually do something about these issues rather than just blame others. This Partnership includes a Policy Accelerator that offers training and support for cities do things like what the three honored cities have done. Those cities won their awards because they made good concrete in preventing either noncommunicable diseases or injuries or both. In a statement, Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, and 108th mayor of New York City reminded everyone, 'Noncommunicable diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and injuries are responsible for more than 80% of all deaths globally, but the good news is: They are preventable.' So without further ado, here are the three winners and what they do and have done: WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the winners by saying in statement, "Cities are at the forefront of the fight against noncommunicable diseases and injuries. The progress made in Córdoba, Fortaleza, and Greater Manchester is not only improving health today but also setting a model for others to follow.' These awardees have shown what being committed to improving the health and lives their residents and following scientific evidence can do. That's something that you don't always see at the national government level these days. For example, in the U.S., recent major cuts in public health personnel, funding and resources may make you wonder how much commitment there is to improving the health of the population. There's also been substantial cuts in what the U.S. is providing to major organizations that have been providing health and public health services around the world. All of this means that unless someone else steps up to fill these new gaps, the health of people around the world could suffer. That means that an increasing proportion of the public health responsibiilties could fall on the shoulders of cities. Larson acknowledged 'This is a challenging time for public health around the world.' But she was optimistic about what cities can do and has been by the commitments that she has seen with cities and their mayors. 'I believe in the power of cities.' She pointed out what happened in New York City when Bloomberg was mayor, 'Life expectancies in NYC increased by 3 years. We can prioritize cities and public health using model of Mike's tenure as mayor.' In other words, a city situation could end up being quite good.
