Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued draft guidelines to countries on how they can construct fiscal policies to promote healthy diets. The tax system can be used to provide disincentives for sugar-sweetened beverages, or SSBs. The WHO has sought in particular to promote the experience of countries that have successfully put extra taxes on SSBs — countries that include the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Mexico. The reasons for this concern are well-founded. The fact is that excessive sugar intake, including through disguised methods like SSBs such as carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices, is a major cause of Type 2 diabetes across the world, including in developing countries. Lifestyle diseases like diabetes need to be taken seriously, especially in countries that are experiencing increasing prosperity. Generally, the WHO has found that poor, ultra-processed diets kill more people globally than smoking does. 

India, however, has some specific problems that need to be considered in this respect — specifically, the structure of goods and services tax (GST). Aerated drinks are already taxed at the highest “sin” rate of GST, 28 per cent — the same as cigarettes. It may be unwise to impose a further charge on this, because destabilising the GST structure is generally to be avoided. Adding another slab could further complicate the GST system. Certainly, other SSBs, including sweetened and processed fruit juices, can be added to this basket. 

Transparency for consumers is best served by clear labelling that catches a shopper’s eye. A simple list of ingredients clearly does not work. Clear labelling will enable the consumer to make better choices. There are multiple global examples of best practice in this respect, which require labelling that is as clear as that on tobacco products. The government would also do well to run effective campaigns to spread awareness about the risks of diabetes.