In Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Health has proposed an initiative to change the excise regulation on sugar-containing beverages and certain products with high salt content. This idea was presented at a meeting organized within the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.
Representatives from various government structures participated in the discussion, including the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, the State Tax Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as international organizations such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Additionally, representatives from key business associations in the country joined the dialogue.
Currently, Kyrgyzstan has a unified excise rate on sugar-containing beverages, which is 3 soms per liter. It is important to note that this rate does not depend on the actual sugar content, leading to the same taxation for both low and high sugar beverages.
The Ministry of Health proposes to switch to a differentiated taxation system, where the excise rate will depend on the sugar content in beverages. The proposed scale is as follows:
- up to 5 g of sugar per 100 ml — 5 soms per liter;
- 5–8 g — 7 soms per liter;
- 8–11 g — 9 soms per liter;
- over 11 g — 11 soms per liter.
Additionally, it is proposed to establish an excise on energy drinks at 20 soms per liter, considering their high sugar and caffeine content, as well as their negative impact on youth health.
A similar approach is planned to be applied to salty snacks, including chips and salted crackers. In the proposed model, the excise rate will vary depending on the salt level in the product: from a zero rate for up to 1.2 g of salt per 100 g of product to 20 soms per 100 g for more than 2.5 g.
Participants in the discussion considered various parameters of the new model, its impact on public health, and the economic consequences for producers and consumers. Business associations voiced their comments and suggestions.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that this initiative is part of a long-term state strategy to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
Representatives from the World Health Organization and UNICEF supported the proposed measures. Alina Altymyshova, a WHO representative, noted that such mechanisms are already in place in 116 countries to reduce the consumption of products high in sugar and salt.
Deputy Minister of Health Temirbek Erkinov pointed out that nutrition problems and related diseases pose a serious threat to the country's healthcare system. According to the National Statistical Committee for 2023, about 9% of children in Kyrgyzstan suffer from overweight. Meanwhile, 78% of children regularly consume sweet drinks, and 75% of children aged 6 to 23 months receive unhealthy food.
"In our country, there are over 84,000 registered patients with diabetes, and their number increases by 5,000 to 7,000 each year. The costs for hemodialysis alone exceed 2 billion soms per year," added Erkinov.
Reducing the consumption of sugar and salt is seen as an important step in disease prevention and protecting public health, he noted.
All revenues from the new excises will be directed to the state budget. It is also planned to allocate comparable funds for disease prevention programs, treatment, and the development of the healthcare system.
The Ministry of Health plans to continue consultations with government agencies, the business sector, and international partners to develop final decisions on this initiative.
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