Australian Inquiry Recommends Sugar Tax to Combat Diabetes

Parliamentary Committee Backs Health Levy on Sugary Drinks

AUSTRALIA: The Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes has recommended the Australian Government introduce a levy on sugary drinks. The proposal, presented to Federal Parliament on Wednesday, has garnered support from various health organisations, including Cancer Council, Diabetes Australia, the Australian Dental Association (ADA), and the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

The Standing Committee’s recommendation advocates for a levy based on the sugar content of products, drawing inspiration from international best practices. This approach aims to encourage manufacturers to reduce sugar levels in their beverages, potentially leading to improved health outcomes for Australians.

Study finds Decline in Child Tooth Extractions linked to UK Soft Drinks Sugar Tax

Health Experts Applaud the Proposal

Clare Hughes, Chair of Cancer Council’s Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity Committee, expressed strong support for the recommendation. She stated, “We know this policy will encourage manufacturers to reduce the amount of sugar in sugary drink products.” Hughes pointed to the success of similar measures in the UK, where “manufacturers responded by taking around 45 million kilos of sugar out of soft drinks alone each year.”

The health levy is seen as a crucial step in addressing the high sugar consumption in Australia. Recent data shows that in 2022-23, the average Australian consumed 67 grams of free sugar daily, exceeding the recommended amount by more than 30%.

Dental Health Benefits

Dr Angie Nilsson, Federal Board Director at the Australian Dental Association, highlighted the potential benefits for oral health. “Sugary drinks don’t only fuel poor diets and chronic disease – they also significantly contribute to tooth decay, erosion, sensitivity, and other oral health complications,” she explained. With Australians aged above 15 having an average of 11.2 teeth that are decayed, missing or filled, the proposed levy could have significant positive impacts on dental health.

Potential Benefits of Sugar Tax for Dental Care, Reveals Study

Economic and Health System Implications

Professor Steve Robson, President of the Australian Medical Association, emphasised the potential economic benefits of the sugar tax. “A sugar tax would have a huge impact on Australia’s health system and the AMA’s modelling suggests a sugar tax could result in government revenue of $4 billion across four years,” he stated. This revenue could be reinvested into preventative health activities, creating a positive cycle of health improvement.

Broader Health Initiatives

The Inquiry into diabetes didn’t stop at recommending a sugar tax. It also proposed other measures to improve diets, including limits on unhealthy food marketing to children. Professor Robson commented on this aspect, saying, “Limiting junk food advertisements and marketing is about nurturing health in our children, providing them with the opportunity to make healthy choices well into adulthood.”

Looking Forward

As Australia grapples with rising rates of diabetes and obesity, this recommendation represents a potential turning point in public health policy. With over 100 countries already implementing similar levies, health experts are urging the Australian Government to take decisive action. As Clare Hughes put it, “It’s time for Australia to put the community’s health above corporate profits and catch up to over 100 countries that already have a levy in place.”

The implementation of this recommendation could mark a significant step towards creating a healthier Australia, potentially reducing the prevalence of not only diabetes but also other chronic diseases associated with high sugar consumption.