It is possible that the imposition of a sugar tax in SA will result in a drop in sugar-sweetened drink sales. But a sales reduction will not necessarily mean that citizens will consume less sugar, nor that companies will develop new product lines with less sugar content. If policy makers are genuinely interested in health promotion rather than simply finding another revenue line to balance a precarious budget, let’s innovate with smart policy: First, educate the public about the choices. Nobody is force-fed today. We put food and drink into our own mouths. It is an act of volition. Second, for 99% of our time (about 200,000 years says modern science) on this planet, by gathering and hunting, survival compelled exercise. Sedentary as we are today, exercise becomes a choice. So go on, do it. Third, instead of all this self-interested guesswork, do some proper panel-based longitudinal medical science research on sugar addiction and human vulnerability to diabetes, hypertension and obes...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.