Debating the sugar tax: BMJ ‘head to head’ argues the case

By Nathan Gray

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags sugar tax Nutrition

Debating the sugar tax: BMJ ‘head to head’ argues the case
Experts from both sides of the sugar tax debate have set out their arguments in a ‘head to head’ article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Where do you stand on the sugar tax issue?

Following a recent call to impose a 20% sugar tax to subsidise the cost of fruit and vegetables, the ongoing debate over potential positives and negatives of a sugar taxes took another turn this week when Sirpa Sarlio-Lähteenkorva, adviser at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Finland and Jack Winkler, emeritus professor of nutrition policy at London Metropolitan University argued their respective cases for and against such a levy in the BMJ​.

Professor Sarlio-Lähteenkorva suggested that a specific tax on sugar would reduce consumption – suggesting there is “increasing evidence suggests that taxes on soft drinks, sugar, and snacks can change diets and improve health, especially in lower socioeconomic groups.”

However, Professor Winkler warned that while a sugar levy would be a positive development ‘in principle’; such taxes are politically unpalatable and would have to be enormous to have any effect.

Indeed, he warned that taxes on foods are not just a political hot potato, but are also economically ineffective – adding that recent research suggested a 10% tax would reduce consumption by ‘less than a sip’ while a 20% tax would reduce energy intake by just 4 calories per day.

"Effects of this size will not reverse global obesity,"​ he argued.

Sarlio-Lähteenkorva noted that taxes can only be a partial solution, suggesting that a sugar tax on all products may be more acceptable than just one on certain categories "because it would treat all sources equally.”

It could also stimulate reformulated products, with less sugar and hence liable for less tax,”​ she suggested.

However, Winkler suggests creating incentives for healthier foods, and cutting product margins on sugar-free soft drinks would be a positive alternative which would make the healthy choice the cheaper choice​ – and could boost companies' profit.

He also noted that while advocates of a sugar tax assume that such any levy would be reflected fully in retail prices, the fact is that in many countries, market forces mean that companies absorb part, or all, of cost increases.

Winkler warned against making comparisons between sugary food and drinks and tobacco taxes that have successfully driven down smoking - noting that ‘a sense of scale is required.’

“Tobacco taxes are often cited as a precedent for such disincentives to consumption … Tobacco taxes vary worldwide, but not in the 10-20% range. The UK rate is 348%,”​ he said.

Winkler also pointed out that before and after the recent UK election, government spokespeople stated repeatedly that there will be no new food taxes and immediately rejected recent proposals for a 20% tax.

“Why are we still debating this idea?”​ he asked. "Nutrition policy needs price instruments, but a more positive selection. Sugar taxes are unlikely to be adopted and would not make much difference anyway.”

"We need fiscal policies that take health seriously,"​ argued Sarlio-Lähteenkorva. "Sugary foods and sugar sweetened beverages are associated with weight gain. Governments must tackle the related adverse health effects, such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and hypertension.”

“A tax on sugar, preferably with measures that target also saturated fat and salt, and incentives for healthy eating, would help,"​ she concluded.

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2 comments

Sugar tax is admitting that we can't improve education

Posted by Jurgen Denecke,

So people are stupid, people can't decide for themselves, and even though we realise this we also don't think we can improve our education system to educate the next generation. It is just as silly as thinking that education can be improved if we buy more computers for schools. Ticking boxes has never been a good solution, but it's an easy way for leaders to be seen to be doing something about the issues they were hired to address. Its like when the new dean of a faculty deals with health and safety, insists on the use of labcoats and starts conducting a space survey...ticking boxes is easier than providing new visions, guidance and leadership in science. The only way how we can educate our young generation is to make the teacher job more challenging and more rewarding (financially) so that some good people consider working on the future of our world (and not the finance sector).

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Sugar Tax

Posted by Dave,

Fat and lazy consumers addicted to sugar? More like fat and lazy government addicted to tax dollars.

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