Health Promotion Levy Campaign
Learn MoreIssue
Health taxes
Location
South Africa
Date
FALL 2025
Problem
South Africans are facing a growing health crisis — diabetes is now the second leading cause of death, and 1 in 4 diabetes cases are caused by sugary drinks.
Solution
The Health Promotion Levy, introduced in 2018, has already reduced sugary drink consumption — but stronger action is needed to slow the rise of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and obesity, including increased taxes.
Campaign
Launched in October 2025, the Health Promotion Levy Campaign aimed to combat inaction on sugary drinks by urging policymakers to implement stronger health taxes and increase the sugary drinks tax by 20%. The public service announcement campaign featured a well-known South African actress who expressed her concerns about the potential impact of sugary drinks on her children. It ran on digital platforms and radio, and urged the public to sign a petition to expand the tax.