AMA (NSW) President: Australia needs a tax on sugary drinks

AMA (NSW) President, Prof Brad Frankum, says the Grattan Institute’s plan for a tax on sugary drinks is a well thought out public health measure with wide-ranging benefits for Australia.

“65 per cent of the country’s population is overweight or obese.

“Excess weight is linked to a number of potentially deadly conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer.

“Just this week, we were reminded of the potential for Australia’s levels of overweight and obesity to overturn the advances we have made in lowering heart disease deaths.

“We need a multi-pronged national plan to reduce the levels of overweight and obesity in Australia but a tax on sugary drinks would be a valuable part of that,” Prof Frankum said.

“A tax on sugary drinks would raise money that could be fed back into preventative health measures to help people keep their weight down.

“Providing people with better education on nutrition and exercise from trusted sources, for example,” Prof Frankum said.

“Overweight and obesity is the biggest health threat to the nation – it’s a bigger threat than smoking used to be.

“We need to take similar action to reduce the nation’s rate and prevent obesity in the future.

“Taxes were part of the solution to discouraging smoking and Australia has been incredibly successful in reducing the number of smokers,” Prof Frankum said.

“We need to start a serious conversation about the nation’s weight problem, it is a massive health risk.

“This isn’t an effort to shame people who are overweight, it’s about helping everyone be as healthy as they can be.

“Nor is this a so-called nanny state solution – in the face of a major health problem it is the responsible thing to try and help,” Prof Frankum said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones 0419 402 955