Mauritius: Diabetes - Sweet Poison Vs Sugar Tax

What the report says

Mauritius is facing a high and persistent diabetes burden, with the AllAfrica-published L’Express opinion piece saying nearly one in five people in the country lives with the disease. The article says the figure has risen over time even after a sugar tax introduced in 2013 and later expanded, arguing that fiscal measures alone cannot address a problem tied to diet, inactivity, urban lifestyles and other metabolic risk factors. It notes that diabetes in Mauritius is closely linked with obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and that the condition can remain undiagnosed for years before causing serious harm.

The piece places the issue in the context of wider public-health and economic pressures. It says poorly controlled diabetes can lead to eye disease, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and amputations, while also creating costs for families through transport, monitoring supplies and care needs. It adds that even where basic treatment is publicly provided, indirect expenses and lost work can deepen inequality and stress household finances.

As reported by L’Express, the Mauritian government is responding with both medical and fiscal steps. The 2026-2027 Budget increased the excise duty on sugar-sweetened drinks and extended the levy to several processed foods, with the aim of reducing sugar intake and encouraging reformulation. The budget also includes more health staff, specialist training and support for visiting doctors. The article’s broader message is that the sugar tax is only one part of a larger prevention strategy focused on healthier food access, screening and early intervention.