应对全球公卫筹资危机，世卫组织建议各国向不健康产品征税

Core Viewpoint - The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the "3 by 35" initiative, urging countries to implement health taxes to increase the actual prices of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035, aiming to curb chronic diseases and generate significant public revenue [1][3][4]. Group 1: Health Tax Initiative - The "3 by 35" initiative is designed to alleviate pressure on health systems caused by the rise of non-communicable diseases, reduced development aid, and increasing public debt [1][3]. - WHO emphasizes that raising the prices of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks can significantly reduce consumption and prevent millions of premature deaths, with a potential to avoid 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years if prices are raised by 50% [1][4]. Group 2: Global Context and Funding Crisis - The initiative comes at a time of global public health funding crisis, particularly as donations from countries like the United States have decreased, making it urgent for low- and middle-income countries to find domestic funding sources for health needs [3][4]. - WHO aims to revitalize health taxes as a tool to reduce harmful consumption, save lives, and create important public revenue, with projections indicating that a one-time tax increase could generate up to $3.7 trillion globally over five years [4][5]. Group 3: China's Health Tax Considerations - China has already implemented consumption taxes on tobacco and alcohol, while discussions on sugary drink taxes are still in the academic phase [5][7]. - The current period in China is seen as an opportunity for consumption tax reform, with expectations to enhance the health guidance effect of these taxes [7][8]. - Experts caution that simply increasing taxes without comprehensive policies may not effectively suppress unhealthy product consumption, as seen in past experiences with tobacco tax adjustments in China [5][9].