BANNING SOFT DRINKS IS DANGEROUS FOR DIABETICS

I CANNOT believe that the city council of Geelong is about to ban all sugar-loaded soft drinks from its municipality.

What was even more disappointing, was the Advertiser backing the move.

As stated in the Advertiser article, the citizens of Geelong are facing a health crisis that needs to be addressed and to a certain extent it is true.

Included in those stats is the soaring statistic of Type 1 diabetes.

As a long-term sufferer of this disease, I am more than bemused and disappointed that should I or any number of type 1 diabetics that could suddenly have a hypo in the City of Greater Geelong region, could find themselves in grave danger of collapse or even worse, falling into a coma, due to this ridiculous big brother action of endangering lives, due to due to a lack of foresight.

It is common knowledge that the fastest way to treat a hypoglycaemic attack is to quickly consume a can of sugary soft drink.

What right do they have to force this ban onto the people of Geelong?

People should have the right to purchase their own choice of refreshment without the Big Brother effect.

Obesity is an issue but more importantly, type 1 diabetics should also feel safe in the knowledge that should they suffer a hypoglycaemic attack, that a soft drink packed with sugar, is close at hand, 24/7. Robert Lymer, Belmont