Sugary drinks tax advocated

WELLINGTON: Taxing sugary drinks is the first step in addressing New Zealand’s obesity and diabetes epidemic, health researchers say.

A sugary beverage tax is gaining momentum as a public health measure and must be led by the Government, says Prof Tony Blakely, of the University of Otago’s Department of Public Health.

A sugary drinks tax specifically targeting the amount of sugar in each drink came into effect in the United Kingdom on April 1.

Prof Blakely and his team have analysed the literature and recent reports and have written a blog about the health impacts such a levy might have in New Zealand.

They also rebutted a recent NZ Institute of Economic Research report that argued against taxing sugary drinks, saying it had ‘‘serious flaws’’. Sugary drink taxes could be configured in many ways, Prof Blakely said, advocating the UK and its tiered levy.

‘‘It is clever, and its impact is much more than via the direct price signal to the consumer,’’ he said.

A sugary drink tax would have a number of impacts and benefits, including a price signal to consumers to reduce consumption and an incentive on the industry to change marketing to less sugary drinks.

Prof Blakely said a soft drinks industry levy could be put in place right now in New Zealand, backing recommendations from the World Health Organisation, the New Zealand Medical Association and the Heart Foundation.

‘‘The Government would be strongly supported by the scientific evidence if it did opt for a sugary drinks tax.’’