WHO proposes taxing sugary drinks to reduce obesity, diabetes and tooth decay

Thursday, October 13th 2016 - 10:19 UTC

Full article 8 comments

Taxing sugary drinks can lower consumption and reduce obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay, says a new WHO report. Fiscal policies that lead to at least a 20% increase in the retail price of sugary drinks would result in proportional reductions in consumption of such products, according to the report titled “Fiscal policies for Diet and Prevention of No communicable Diseases (NCDs)”. Read full article

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Idlehands
So fat people wobbling their way to the shops too often are forcing the rest of us to pay more for sugar. As sugar is probably an inelastic good I doubt it will reduce consumption. It's just more cash in the coffers.
Oct 13th, 2016 - 11:55 am - Link - Report abuse +2
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ElaineB
@ Idlehands

To an extent you are right. This has become an acceptable way to tax just as petrol was (for the environment), tobacco (for health), cars with bigger engines etc. There has been a prolonged campaign to make a sugar tax acceptable. However, how effective it will be in reducing obesity is highly debatable. Real change comes from society deeming something unacceptable like driving without seat belts or drinking and driving. (Imagine that these were once considered acceptable).

Real change will come from education, pressure in society and the health experts admitting they were entirely wrong in making fat content the dietary enemy rather than refined sugar. Most low fat processed food is awash with sugar. A limited amount fat content is far more healthy.
Oct 13th, 2016 - 01:37 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
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Marti Llazo
News item: WHO recommends heavy taxes on Fernet and yerba-mate consumption in Argentina in bid to reduce epidemic levels of madness.
Oct 13th, 2016 - 05:11 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
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DemonTree
@ElaineB
It might be more successful than you think. Poor people are more affected by obesity problems, and it's reasonable to suspect the low price of sugary junk foods compared to healthy stuff might have something to do with it.

Governments should start by getting rid of the subsidies on sugar production that make it so cheap in the first place though.

I agree about low fat products, most of them are a big con, a way of selling junk food as being healthy. I always try to get the original full-fat version, but low fat is so popular it often takes a lot of searching!
Oct 13th, 2016 - 05:56 pm - Link - Report abuse +2
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Voice
Artificial sweeteners taste like crap...
A fast metabolism and a good dental plan suits me just fine....
Oct 14th, 2016 - 12:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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DennisA
It is grossly unscientific to blame obesity on soft drinks. So many are based on sweeteners these days anyway so people buy them instead of sugary ones. Obsity is a moveable feast, pun intended, BMI is not a suitable definition.
Oct 14th, 2016 - 09:59 am - Link - Report abuse -1
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DemonTree
It would be grossly unscientific to blame obesity *solely* on soft drinks. Thinking they play a role though is perfectly reasonable.

And BMI is not always accurate for individual people - it's an easily calculated guide rather than an actual measurement of body fat percentage - but it's perfectly adequate for looking at a population. Besides, the great majority of people who complain about how inaccurate BMI is are just unhappy because it has very accurately shown that they are overweight.
Oct 14th, 2016 - 11:49 am - Link - Report abuse +2
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Think
Mr. Voice...
I would appreciate your expert opinion about Coca Cola Life...

Regards
El Think...
Oct 15th, 2016 - 09:42 am - Link - Report abuse -1
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