Ban children under 12 from buying fizzy drinks, says dental charity
♦ Fizzy drinks should be agerestricted in order to tackle rising childhood obesity and tooth decay, a leading dentists’ charity has said.
The Dental Wellness Trust (DWT), a British NGO that fights poor dental hygiene in the developing world, is calling for a ban on children under the age of six consuming high-sugar drinks, and rules preventing them being sold to children under 12.
The charity told The Daily Telegraph that, while it applauded the Government’s long-awaited “sugar tax”, which came into force yesterday, further “bold and brave” policies were needed to improve the health of British children, one in five of whom now leaves primary school obese.
The Soft Drinks Industry Levy imposes a tax of 18p per litre on soft drinks containing 5g to 7g of sugar per 100ml, and a 24p per litre for more than 8g per 100ml.
Milkshakes are exempt, but this week George Osborne, the former chancellor, who announced the tax in 2016, backed extending the measure to sugary milk-based products. Mr Osborne said he “suspects” the Treasury will extend the tax, which he described as one of his proudest achievements in government.
Dr Linda Greenwall, the founder of the trust, said: “The DWT believes now is the time for a bold and brave evidence-based health policy that directly tackles one of the biggest challenges to child health that our generation has seen.
“An age restriction and ban would have a fast and effective impact on the consumption of these drinks, ultimately helping to improve the health of our children, not to mention relieve strain on our health service.”