A University of Wollongong nutrition expert has weighed in to the sugar tax debate, after the UK on Thursday moved to tax sugary drinks to tackle obesity.
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Senior lecturer in public health and nutrition at the Early Start Research Institute Bridget Kelly said the move would be important for children and teens and urged the Australian government to take note.
Dr Kelly noted the UK’s extra tax revenue would be directed into school sport programs, saying that was “an added bonus for children’s health”.
“This is a bold move by the UK government and one that should be considered in Australia given the mounting evidence that this is an effective approach for obesity prevention,” she said.
“We’ve seen soda taxes introduced in a number of countries worldwide, including in Mexico where a 10 per cent tax on soda led to a 12 per cent decline in sales a year later.
“This shows that soda consumption is sensitive to price changes.
“Taxing tobacco has worked to reduce demand and consumption and now we are seeing the same for taxes on soda.”
