Pro-health taxes, applied to products such as tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks, are among the most effective policy tools to reduce consumption of harmful products, prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and generate public revenue. When well designed, these taxes not only improve population health but also provide governments with resources that can be reinvested in healthcare, education and other essential public services.
Despite strong evidence that taxing health-harming products reduces NCDs, the leading cause of death and disability globally, these measures remain underused. The FILTERED Advocacy Toolkit on Pro-Health Taxes aims to address that gap by supporting civil society organisations, advocates, and decision-makers in promoting effective taxation policies across Europe.
Designed primarily for civil society organisations in the EU, and relevant for neighbouring countries, the toolkit offers:
The toolkit is structured to be flexible and user-friendly. It allows readers to quickly access key information or explore topics in greater depth depending on their needs. It includes:
In addition, the toolkit features real-world examples and ready-to-use resources, including a template letter to Ministers of Finance, which can be adapted to different national contexts.
The toolkit has been developed as part of the FILTERED project (From Silos to Synergies to Prevent NCDs), co-funded by the European Union. It reflects a collaborative effort across partners in Europe to strengthen advocacy, promote health, and accelerate action on key NCD risk factors.