When the news about Coca-Cola and PepsiCo supporting some health organizations spread, it caused quite an uproar. Now, WHO’s recommendation about worldwide soda tax is causing quite a stir.
NPR.org author Allison Aubrey says that the World Health Organization has submitted a report that encourages different nations to follow the policies concerning soda taxes that can potentially increase the price of drinks for the sake of managing obesity and diabetes. These taxes can also support the health care costs associated with these diseases.
The World Health Organization has made it clear that they want to persuade us to lessen our sugar consumption. Added sugars should not take more than 10 percent of our daily calorie intake. In the WHO report, its aim is to focus on improving the diet of individuals and prevent lifestyle conditions like diabetes and obesity.
Tax Soda To Fight Obesity, WHO Urges Nations Around The Globe
A new World Health Organization report recommends that nations adopt fiscal policies, including taxes, that raise the retail price of sugary drinks to fend off obesity and diabetes ‘ and the health care costs that go with them. Read more…
Sabrina Tavernise from the New York Times reported that based on WHO’s statement if ever countries would accept the suggestion, the tax on sugary drinks would mean an increase in the price of 20 percent. In relation to this, this can possibly result in a decline in consumption. It might be an effective way in waging a war against obesity.
Obesity is getting even more serious because reported cases have doubled since 1980. In 2014, half a billion adults were obese and 11 percent of them were men, 15 percent were women. Dr. Douglas Bettcher, director of the W.H.O.’s Department for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases, says that this method may lower suffering and save lives. Health care costs can be dealt with, as well.
W.H.O. Urges Tax on Sugary Drinks to Fight Obesity
The W.H.O. has recommended before those countries impose such a tax, most recently in a report this year on preventing childhood obesity. But Tuesday’s report, released at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva, quantifies the effects of such a tax. Read more…
David Sands from Washington Times shares that though there are critics from the beverage industry who claim that an increase in the tax hasn’t been proven as effective, the U.N. agency said that there was evidence that taxes can be helpful in reducing the consumption of sugar beverages. Soda isn’t the only target here, by the way.
Temo Waqanivalu, a colleague of Dr. Bettcher from the WHO department, says that the tax should be applied to every product containing free sugars. This includes fruit drinks, fruit-based alcoholic drinks, energy and sports drinks and even fruit juices.
U.N. agency pushes global soda taxes to curb obesity, fight disease
Philadelphia this summer became the first major U.S. city to institute a sugar tax on drinks, and Oakland voters will consider a similar measure next month. But the international record on the effectiveness of sugared beverage taxes and related dietary taxes is a matter of fierce debate. Read more…
This has yet to unfold since it’s not confirmed yet if governments around the world are willing enough to abide by this proposal. This may present good intentions especially in dealing with the health conditions however; governments need to consider the repercussions involving soda companies.
The post Soda Wars: WHO Fighting Obesity With Soda Tax appeared first on NUTRITION CLUB CANADA.
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