Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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January 19, 2026 Healthcare
Lithuania has introduced an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, effective January 1, 2026. This will be an important step toward preventing disease and premature deaths associated with excessive sugar consumption.
Lithuania has thus joined a growing number of countries that use fiscal measures to encourage the consumption of healthier foods.
Why are sugar-sweetened drinks taxed?
"The introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is an important measure our government has taken to reduce the growing burden of chronic diseases. The number of overweight and obese people in Lithuania is growing: our children consume more sugar than recommended, and this significantly contributes to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases," said Lithuanian Health Minister Marija Jakubauskienė.
Sugar-sweetened beverages offer no nutritional value and significantly contribute to excess sugar consumption and excessive weight gain. Furthermore, high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with heart disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity-related cancers, and tooth decay. As a result, governments incur billions of dollars in healthcare costs.
Scientific evidence also demonstrates the health risks associated with long-term consumption of sugar-free sweeteners: it has been shown to increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. A well-thought-out tax policy that increases prices and incentivizes the industry to produce healthier products can play a significant role in improving diets as part of a broader set of measures.
"Given that a quarter of all deaths in Lithuania are due to diet-related risks, and that more than 10 percent of schoolchildren consume sugar-sweetened beverages daily, measures aimed at increasing the price of high-sugar foods and encouraging product reformulation could have real impact," said Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
Measures to reduce the burden of disease
In Lithuania, diet-related risks such as high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, as well as other factors such as low fruit and vegetable intake and high salt intake, accounted for approximately 25 percent of all deaths in 2019 (compared to 17 percent for the European Union).
Recent data highlights the scale of the problem: in Lithuania, 11.3 percent of students in grades 5–9 consume sugar-sweetened beverages daily, indicating that the habit begins early in life. Furthermore, according to the State Statistics Agency, sales of soft drinks—defined as water with added sugar or other sweeteners and flavors, including mineral water and carbonated drinks—in 2024 increased by 11 percent, reaching €29.3 million. This product category is thus demonstrating steady growth in the Lithuanian market.
The new policy proposes a tiered excise tax system for beverages containing added sugar or sweeteners. Products with added sugar levels of 2.5–7.9 g per 100 ml and any sweetener content will be taxed at €7.40 per 100 liters, while products containing 8 g or more of sugar will be taxed at €21 per 100 liters.
Concentrated beverages will be taxed at €105 per 100 liters in liquid form or €4.3 per kilogram in other forms. This measure does not apply to food supplements, special medical foods, infant and toddler formulas, pharmaceutical products, nectars with added sugar, and drinkable dairy products.
A strategic step forward
Lithuania has long advocated for stricter tax policies on alcohol.
By extending fiscal policy measures to soft drinks, the country is promoting evidence-based tools to protect public health. The next stage will require careful monitoring, data collection, and enforcement, especially given the expected resistance from businesses.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.