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Gov't adjusts sugary drinks tax after industry backlash

March 24, 2026 | News
Finance Minister Fayval Williams on Tuesday announced a revised special consumption tax on sugary drinks, shifting from a volume-based system to one based on sugar content. The change follows backlash from industry players and criticism from the Opposition People’s National Party. The revised tax, set at 22 cents per gram of added sugar, will take effect May 1, instead of April 1, to allow time for implementation, Williams told the House of Representatives.
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Gov't rejects Opposition’s $8.6b e-invoicing revenue claim

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Gov't adjusts sugary drinks tax after industry backlash

Finance Minister Fayval Williams on Tuesday announced a revised special consumption tax on sugary drinks, shifting from a volume-based system to one based on sugar content. The change follows backlash from industry players and criticism from the Opposition People’s National Party. The revised tax, set at 22 cents per gram of added sugar, will take effect May 1, instead of April 1, to allow time for implementation, Williams told the House of Representatives.

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From left: Enrique Martinez Gonzalez, rheumatology specialist; Yaselis Jacas Serrano, emergency nurse; and Humberto Alvarez Luna, neurology specialist, in an interview with The Gleaner at the Cuban Embassy in Kingston yesterday.
Published 17 hours ago

Doctors in departure lounge

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Hydel High School athletes celebrate winning the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships girls’ title at the school in March of 2025.
Published 17 hours ago

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Miss Universe Jamaica Northeast 2025 Dreanna Williams.
March 23, 2026

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Business
March 22, 2026

Jamaicans are 49th happiest in world – UN report

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Kerry Washington hit the Los Angeles carpet for ‘Imperfect Women’ in a sheer black lace look by Zuhair Murad.
March 23, 2026

Something Extra | Monday

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Cricket West Indies president Dr Kishore Shallow.
Published 17 hours ago

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