Both tax and education could aid obesity crisis

THE articles by Katherine Rich and Eric Crampton (Opinion, 26.8.19) tell us sugar taxes don’t work.

That suggests people addicted to sugar won’t change when prices rise. If true, education campaigns won’t work either.

We are also told that some people are switching to drinks with less sugar. These must be the less addicted and are listening to advice. Nevertheless, we are still the thirdmost obese people on the planet.

I am not convinced that sugar taxes don’t work; they take time to have a measurable impact.

The best outcome would be parents being less inclined to choose the expensively taxed sweet foods. Children would not become addicted, and they and their society would have a healthier future.

Regarding the people who will not change — it’s their right — but we should be concerned about the increasing health costs they impose.

I don’t believe it’s a case of tax or educate — we need both to make a change. Poor people would be helped by a reduction in the costs of healthy food (that’s where the tax should go). B. Armstrong

Cromwell

Dunedin drivers

IS Graham Spenceley (Letters, 6.9.19) suggesting that it is all right for motorists to drive around roundabouts on the righthand side if there is poor road design in the area?

Originally, this intersection of

Nairn and Shetland Sts was not a safe one, because of driver behaviour.

That is why a roundabout was introduced.

The real point is that drivers all need to keep left, at roundabouts or wherever. It is not up to us to determine their installation and make our own rules accordingly. We need to consider the safety of approaching traffic to avoid a collision.

Jimsie Smith

Kaikorai ...................................

BIBLE READING: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything. — Ephesians 5.20.