RomaniaActive: NO to VAT increase for fitness clubs and gyms from 5% to 19%! Say YES to healthy and active lifestyles by signing the petition below!

In the context of worrying information about a possible increase in VAT for gyms and health & fitness clubs from 5% to 19%, RomaniaActive, the Romanian Association of the Health&Fitness Industry, is sounding the alarm about the huge negative consequences such a decision could have. The accessibility of sport and fitness services is essential to improve the physical and mental health of the population.

Below is the petition submitted through RomaniaActive, the organisation representing the interests of the health & fitness industry in Romania and whose founding member is World Class Romania: https://shorturl.at/kpEY5

A higher VAT rate for sport, health and fitness subscriptions and services could lead to a decrease in the population’s participation in regular exercise, making it more difficult for Romanians to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Such an unfair decision would have serious repercussions on the health and well-being of our nation and it is of utmost importance to reconsider it.

Such an unfair decision would have serious repercussions for the health and well-being of our nation and it is of utmost importance that it be reconsidered.

“Increasing VAT from 5% to 19% will lead to a significant increase in the cost of health & fitness subscriptions and access to sports facilities, and this will discourage Romanians from leading an active and healthy lifestyle. The progress made so far in promoting a healthier population through sport and regular physical activity will stagnate, with long-term negative consequences for public health, where we will unfortunately see an increase in expenditure. Prevention always comes first in any healthy economy! RomaniaActive supports the Romanian gym and fitness operators, their more than one million active members, children, young people, families, and entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are the investors and builders of this nation. They need to be supported, not suppressed! Regular exercise is among the most important preventive measures against many chronic diseases that are a real burden on public health costs! It is a necessity and a priority to keep physical activity services accessible to more Romanians!”, said Kent Orrgren, President of RomaniaActive.

We must continue to support health reform policies in Romania! Say NO to 19% VAT for sport and fitness!

So far, health reform regulations in Romania have prioritised the importance of preventing diseases and improving the quality of life of citizens. It is essential that policy makers recognise these long-term benefits and prioritise initiatives that encourage physical activity, not just during crises such as the Covid pandemic, but as an ongoing part of public health policy.

RomaniaActive warns that increasing VAT for the fitness industry will undermine these important policies, making it more difficult to promote health and wellness among our population.

It is now recognised that fiscal measures are needed to redress the budget, but at the same time it is crucial that policy makers prioritise the wellbeing of the population and the long-term benefits of an active lifestyle and combating sedentarism in the most effective ways. RomaniaActive urges the government to reconsider a possible drastic increase in VAT for the physical activity and fitness industry and work together to find a fairer solution.

Millions of active citizens would be affected by the decision to increase VAT on sport and fitness.

There are currently over one million active members of fitness clubs in Romania. It is important to continue to increase this number to promote a healthier nation. It is clear that an increase in VAT for fitness services would actually make expensive the vital benefits for physical and mental wellbeing that regular exercise provides to individuals and families. Such a decision threatens to discourage many people from leading a healthy and active lifestyle, putting at risk the overall health of society and, ultimately, the health of the Romanian economy.

Romanians need affordable sport, health and fitness services!

RomaniaActive strongly believes that fitness and wellness services should be accessible and available to all Romanian citizens. A sudden and significant VAT increase would directly contradict this goal and create an unnecessary financial barrier to health and fitness opportunities. It is a shared responsibility of the nation to prioritize the health of its citizens, and this decision would undermine all the efforts made so far in this regard.

Prevention is essential! Regular exercise helps prevent and treat the world’s most prevalent chronic diseases! Exercise is medicine! By 2030, lack of exercise will be a major cause of over 500 million new cases of chronic diseases and mental disorders globally, costing world governments over $27 billion!

RomaniaActive acts as a united force and achieves significant results to help reduce the costs of physical inactivity and improve the health of Romanians. The role of physical activity is crucial for health! Regular exercise is proven to contribute to:

Reducing cardiovascular incidence and mortality
Reducing the incidence of many types of cancer
Reduced risk of dementia
Improved quality of life
Reduced risk of obesity
Prevent and reduce progression of type 2 diabetes (Source: https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/eim-research0/physical-activity-health-impact/)

The health and fitness industry must be considered essential because the benefits it brings are huge! It is a positive thing that VAT will not be changed for drug treatments, but prevention always comes first and we know with certainty, backed up by numerous medical studies and the World Health Organization’s position, that regular exercise is at the forefront of preventing and even treating some of the most prevalent chronic diseases: diabetes, heart disease and obesity!

Prevention is the foundation of a healthy nation and a healthy economy. By increasing VAT on fitness services, we are hindering our ability to combat these health problems.

RomaniaActive calls for action: It is a must to keep VAT for sports and fitness clubs at a level that will not affect Romanians’ healthy and active lifestyle! Health and prevention cannot be postponed!

“We ask the Romanian Government, the Minister of Health and the President of the National Agency for Sport to prioritise the health of the nation. A 19% VAT rate will have serious negative consequences on both the industry and the future of health in Romania. RomaniaActive and its members are committed to promoting a physically active and healthy nation. We urge you to consider the importance of physical activity, health and fitness in our society. A significant increase in VAT for physical activity and fitness services would affect not only the industry, but also the children, young people, families and entrepreneurs who depend on it. For the future of a healthy Romania, we say NO to the VAT increase for sport and fitness services and YES to a more active and healthier nation!”, continued the representatives of RomaniaActive Association.

For more information on this topic and on RomaniaActive, please visit: www.romaniaactive.ro.

DMCA

PROTECTED