Cameron rejects sugar tax

Cameron rejects sugar tax

A report, from Public Health England (PHE), originally shelved by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, said it "would seem logical" that a "sugar tax" of 10% to 20% would lead to a reduction in consumption, though it stressed some of the evidence on the issue was limited. However a spokesman for prime minister, David Cameron said that, although he had not read the report, he was not in favour of a tax, believing there were other measures to drive down childhood obesity.

The PHE study, called Sugar Reduction: The Evidence For Action, warns that average sugar intake is 12% to 15% of people's energy intake instead of the 5% Government advisers say it should be. For school-age children, sugar is 14.7% of all calorie intake and 15.6% for teenagers.

Chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver  praised the study and urged ministers to tackle the obesity crisis "like parents not politicians". He said: "I'm excited and relieved that we finally got to see Public Health England's courageous, forward-thinking report and its excellent recommendations such as a proposed sugar levy, cutting down on the advertising of high sugar food, all of which are powerful weapons in improving our children's health.

"Doctors, dentists, scientists, a large and growing percentage of the British public and many in the media are calling for action. The ball is firmly in the Government's court. They have the opportunity now to be bold and brave and ensure Britain leads the way against obesity and diet-related disease. Healthier, happier and brighter kids ensure a more sustainable and prosperous Britain. There has never been a better time than now. Let's tackle this like parents not politicians."

The Chair of the British Dental Association, Mick Armstrong, said: “Public health policy must be guided by evidence, not by personal prejudice or commercial interests. Somehow we have allowed tooth decay, an entirely preventable disease, to become the leading cause of hospital admissions among our children. Health professionals expect real leadership here, and no option can be left off the table.  Britain is addicted to sugar, and inaction can no longer be justified, either morally or financially. Public health and the NHS balance sheet are where we will continue seeing the real cost of political intransigence.”

 

Image Kurtis Garbutt at Flickr

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Tim Coates
Cameron rejects sugar tax
Other methods to reduce childhood obesity that don't include tackling it's cause?

What a transparent display of cronyism and dual standards.

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