Since its introduction in 2011, the public health product tax (the so-called fat tax) has brought over HUF 55 billion (EUR 179 million) to the national budget, Minister of State for Health Gábor Zombor said.

He underlined that the tax was of special importance as it provided the funds necessary for increasing the wages of healthcare employees. He also noted that international health organizations praised the Hungarian government’s public health initiatives, including the fat tax, the protection of non-smokers and decisions on public catering.

As of next year, more products will fall under the purview of the fat tax, including cheap alcoholic beverages, the Minister of State said. This alone will mean an additional budget revenue of about HUF 3.5 billion (EUR 11.4 million).

(Ministry of Human Capacities)