Fresh research is adding weight to a proposal that has long divided experts.

A Griffith University study published in BMJ Public Health on Wednesday found a levy applied to non-alcoholic drinks with added sugar, such as soft drinks and most juices, could prevent 3.7 million cases of tooth decay, 191,000 cases of gum disease, and 115,000 cases of complete tooth loss across Australia over the next 25 years.

  • zero_gravitas@aussie.zoneEnglish
    2·
    1 day ago

    But sweet, carbonated beverages (on the shelf; the refrigerated bottles are kinda expensive) are one of the last, somewhat inexpensive products in supermarkets.

    That’s exactly the problem it’s intended to address. It’s cheap to buy, and expensive in its consequences.

    I’ve seen it proposed that revenue from such a tax be used to subsidise fresh food, so that’s another option that would double the nudge towards healthier options while being hip-pocket-neutral for shoppers (the devil is always in the detail, of course).