Newsroom
The United Arab Emirates is taking a stand against sugar, launching a new tiered tax on sweetened drinks starting January 1, a move doctors and dentists say could be a game-changer for public health.
For the first time, the tax directly links the amount of sugar in a drink to how much consumers pay. Drinks with 5–8 grams of sugar per 100 ml will carry a small levy, while those with 8 grams or more will see higher charges. Beverages with less than 5 grams or made with only artificial sweeteners are exempt.
Health experts say the plan could nudge both producers and consumers toward healthier choices. “It’s more than just a tax,” said Dr. Ali Elkhuni, an endocrinologist in Dubai. “It encourages everyone to think about sugar in a measurable way, and that can have a real impact on obesity and diabetes rates.”
The timing is urgent. Studies suggest obesity in the UAE could hit record levels by 2050, with nearly all adults projected to be overweight or obese. Type 2 diabetes is also surging, affecting roughly one in five people today, and numbers are expected to climb across the Middle East and North Africa.
Dentists say the benefits go beyond waistlines. “Sugar feeds harmful bacteria in the mouth and drives tooth decay,” said Dr. David Rose, founder of BioDental Clinics in Dubai. Reducing sugar consumption, he added, can improve oral health almost immediately.
The UAE isn’t alone in experimenting with sugar taxes. Ireland’s levy cut sugar intake from soft drinks by nearly a third in one year, and the UK saw children’s sugar consumption drop by half after implementing a similar policy.
Officials also see economic opportunities. As people turn to healthier options, the market for sugar-free drinks and nutritious snacks is expected to boom, with sales projected to top $1 billion in the UAE within a decade.
Dr. Elkhuni said that pairing the tax with education and better access to nutritious foods could gradually reverse obesity and chronic disease trends. “Small changes in daily habits can have big health payoffs,” he said.
With the UAE leading the charge, other nations may watch closely and consider whether taxing sugar could be a smart step toward healthier citizens worldwide.
