Sugar tax will hurt the poor

THE tendentious headline “Raising sin and sugar taxes seen as good for SA’s health” (February 1) quotes reports favouring such taxes.

On sugar taxes, those reports and your article fail to mention the meta-analysis that says all the evidence is not in and the time span of the study is too short. Medical and economic effects, good and bad, take long-term study, not a couple of years.

South Africa’s established media has been biased in its reporting about this tax, giving proponents favourable coverage and not rigorously interrogating the counter argument. It’s the poor that will feel the tax – the well-off can afford it.

Sugary foods and drinks are price inelastic, meaning higher prices do not deter consumers.

Alcohol and cigarettes are the same. South Africa has stiff duties on them but consumption remains high. Both often cause health problems, and with alcohol comes crime and social dysfunction. It’s ironic the article mentions WHO, but South Africa has one of the highest alcohol consumption rates in the world and highest in Africa. A South African medical journal article by Reddy et al states despite high taxes on cigarettes, smoking among the youth is increasing.

The sugar tax is a well-meaning but ineffective measure. Support for it is a knee-jerk, politically correct reaction.

THOMAS JOHNSON

Lansdowne