The Cabinet adopted a decision to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks and smoking products by adding a number of products to the selective tax list and applying them to these products starting from January 1, 2020, within the framework of the government's direction to preserve public health and avoid the damage to health and money that society incurs in combating communicable diseases. In light of the government's keenness to change consumption patterns harmful to public health.
The decision targets a number of products and goods harmful to public health, such as drinks sweetened with added sugar or other sweeteners, in addition to products, devices and electronic smoking devices and liquids used in these devices to reduce consumption of these products to promote healthy lifestyles in the community and reduce rates of obesity and chronic diseases in general.
The decision provides for a 50% selective tax on beverages sweetened with added sugar, and on any product added to a source of sugar or other sweeteners.It is produced for the purpose of drinking as a liquid, concentrate, powders, extracts or any form that can be converted into a drink.
The decision also includes the adoption of the requirements of food data on drinks, which will be obliged manufacturers to mention the amount of sugar added and to enhance the awareness of society on the amounts of sugar consumed and contribute to the adoption of healthy dietary patterns for all members of the community.
It also includes the application of the selective tax on electronic smoking devices and the like, whether or not containing nicotine, tobacco or not, by 100%, including liquid used in electronic smoking devices and similar devices, with the aim of building a safe and healthy society by reducing consumption Commodities that harm the health of members of society and the quality of life.
The items described have been added to existing selective commodities, which include tobacco and tobacco products (100%), energy drinks (100%) and soft drinks (50%).
The selective tax shall be considered as an indirect tax to be borne by the end consumer imposed on goods that are harmful to public health, the environment or luxury goods in varying proportions and in accordance with the executive regulations.