A new documentary by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has spotlighted the growing health and environmental dangers linked to the consumption of sugary drinks in Nigeria.
The 20-minute film titled Sweet Poison was unveiled during a media screening in Lagos on Wednesday, where the organisation warned that excessive intake of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) is contributing to the rise in non-communicable diseases across the country.
According to CAPPA, the documentary examines how manufacturers of ultra-processed foods and beverages have embedded sugary drinks into everyday Nigerian lifestyles through aggressive advertising and widespread market penetration.
The film combines expert opinions, personal experiences and visual storytelling to highlight increasing cases of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular diseases associated with sugary beverage consumption.
Speaking at the premiere, CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the documentary seeks to expose the hidden impact of sugary drinks on public health and the environment.
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He noted that Sweet Poison also addresses issues such as plastic pollution and resource-heavy production processes tied to the beverage industry.
The documentary further questions the effectiveness of Nigeria’s current SSB tax introduced under the Finance Act 2021, which imposes a N10 per litre excise duty on sweetened and carbonated drinks.
CAPPA argued that the existing tax framework has not significantly changed consumer behaviour or curbed harmful industry practices, calling instead for a stronger tax regime of at least 20 percent, or ideally 50 percent, on the retail price of sugary beverages.
The NGO maintained that part of the revenue generated from the tax should be directed toward healthcare and public health interventions.
Guests at the screening included medical experts, health advocates and media professionals, among them Saheed Balogun and Leslie Adogame.
The documentary previously premiered on TVC News and is currently available on CAPPA’s YouTube channel.
