Benefits of sugar tax should leave a sweet aftertaste

RECENT scientific studies have connected excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

The personal health burden is tragic – heart attack, stroke, blindness, amputation.

Sugar-sweetened beverages are the leading source of empty calories, with one 355ml can having 10 teaspoons of sugar and no nutritional value.

The sugar tax is a great place to start in tackling these problems. The evidence proves a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages decreases consumption – as shown in Finland, Hungary, France and Mexico.

In the face of this evidence, there is a role for taxation to support our health.

Obviously, a specific tax on selected products is not the entire solution. But it is a starting point, along with public education, transparent nutrition labelling and expanded regulations on advertising to children. ANNE CHACHLIN

Durban