Devex: NCD commission split over sugar tax
“More involvement from heads of state, a ‘fresh relationship’ with certain industries, and a possible ‘multi-donor trust fund’ to catalyze financing, are among the recommendations in an expert report on combating noncommunicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The group stopped short of backing a tax on sugary drinks, a reflection of the rifts between members. Time to Deliver, released today, is the first report from the Independent High-level Commission on NCDs, a group comprised of four heads of state, several ministers, academics, and philanthropists…” (Chadwick, 6/1).

Reuters: WHO diseases panel split on soft drink sugar tax to cut obesity
“…The commission made six recommendations in its report, including for government heads to take responsibility for disease reduction and to increase regulation. It did not mention taxes specifically. … A WHO spokesman told Reuters that the report was from an independent commission, not the WHO, which he said still sees the benefits of using taxes to reduce consumption of harmful products including sugary drinks…” (Nebehay, 6/1).