The World Health Organization on 18 September 2025 accused major corporations in the tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food industries of obstructing life-saving health reforms. Officials stated these companies deploy intense lobbying efforts that weaken, delay, or entirely block evidence-based regulations.
Note that the statement came ahead of the United Nations General Assembly discussions on noncommunicable diseases in New York. The organization intended to ensure corporate interference remained central to negotiations as global leaders considered strategies to address chronic disease burdens worldwide.
WHO said industries consistently target taxation policies on alcohol, tobacco, and sugary beverages, while also resisting advertising restrictions aimed at children. These reforms, according to WHO evidence, diminish harmful consumption and lower risks of premature death from preventable medical conditions.
The organization further recommended that UN member states raise prices on these harmful products by at least 50 percent over the next decade. WHO estimates that this measure alone could prevent 50 million premature deaths, save costs from associated public health burdens, and even generate about USD 1 trillion in revenue.
Industry organizations have disputed tax hikes. They argued that it is ineffective when applied to single food categories. UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe insisted obesity remains high in countries with sugar taxes and noted that policymakers must evaluate broader dietary behaviors for meaningful long-term solutions.
Etienne Krug, the Director of the Department for Social Determinants of Health at WHO, condemned corporate influence. He declared it unacceptable for commercial interests to profit from deaths and disease. He further urged governments to prioritize public health above private profit motives across every jurisdiction.
WHO noted that overall progress in reducing chronic disease deaths has slowed significantly during recent years. Officials warned this decline in momentum partly reflects pervasive and active corporate lobbying successes that block the implementation of critical evidence-based public health regulations and initiatives worldwide.
The organization stressed that noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses remain the leading global killers. Investments in prevention through taxation, restrictions, and promotion of healthier choices could save millions of lives, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
Independent studies reinforce WHO concerns by investigating and documenting the scale of harm from corporate products. Data show tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed food, and fossil fuel pollution cause 2.7 million annual deaths in Europe. This is nearly equivalent to one quarter or 25 percent of all recorded fatalities.