alcohol

WHO urges higher taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol as affordability rises in dozens of countries Sugary drinks and alcohol are not being taxed at levels that curb demand and protect public health, the World Health Organization said in two new reports, warning that the products remain broadly affordable and are fueling chronic disease. The agency renewed its call for stronger “health taxes” on alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce consumption and bolster strained government budgets. The WHO said sugary drinks…

South Africa on Monday tightened COVID-19 restrictions, banned alcohol sales and extended a nationwide curfew, as infections shot through a million marks due to a faster-spreading variant of the disease detected in the country. South Africa has recorded the highest number of coronavirus infections on the continent, with 1,044,413 cases reported and almost 27,000 deaths. Daily cases began to increase rapidly at the end of November to between 10,000 and 14,000. The new variant, called 501.V2, was…