DHBs ask for tax on sugary drinks

WELLINGTON: District Health Boards want a tax on sugary drinks, warning the obesity epidemic could result in New Zealand children living shorter lives than their parents.

Letters sent to Health Minister David Clark are the strongest calls for change so far from within a health system treating more obesityrelated disease and tooth decay.

‘‘For the first time in history, New Zealand children could live shorter lives than their parents as a result of excess weight and obesity,’’ Andrew Blair, chairman of both Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs, told Dr Clark.

Pacific peoples, Maori and those in the poorest areas bore the burden of an obesity problem causing ‘‘spiralling demands and rising costs’’, he wrote.

‘‘We understand the difficulties with various lobby groups in this highly contentious space and would encourage you to be as proactive as possible, particularly in relation to sugarsweetened beverages, including consideration of the introduction of a tax.

‘‘Your commitment to schoolbased clinics and ensuring the strength of our health services will also assist us to support healthy communities and families. This would be more effective when the environment supports fewer unnecessary sugarsweetened beverages and energy drinks.’’

The DHBs cited the World Health Organisation position that there is clear evidence that taxes and subsidies influence buying behaviour, and this could curb consumption of sugarsweetened drinks and help in the fight against obesity and diabetes.

A tax was also supported by the New Zealand Dental Association.

Dr Clark was urged to swiftly introduce a tax and strongly consider including artificially sweetened drinks, because they are also harmful to oral health.

Dr Blair was not available for interview.

Of the country’s other 18 DHBs that responded to a request for comment, NelsonMarlborough DHB confirmed it supported a 20% excise tax on sugarsweetened beverages.

A report commissioned by the Ministry of Health and delivered in October 2017 concluded evidence for a sugar tax was inconclusive.

Thinktank the New Zealand Initiative and other opponents of a tax argue studies relied on by tax advocates vastly overestimated how much taxes would reduce consumption.

Sir Peter Gluckman, until recently the Prime Minister’s chief science adviser, said last month the evidence for a sugar tax in countries like New Zealand had become much stronger in recent years. A report to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had outlined that change.

The NZ Beverage Council, which represents manufacturers, could not be reached for comment. — NZME