WHO believes sugar tax will curb rising obesity rates

Sugar content in soft drinks (iSTOCK)
Sugar content in soft drinks (iSTOCK)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is urging all countries to introduce a sugar tax on soft drinks in an effort to curb rising obesity rates.

A report from the WHO says that a tax of 20 percent or more results in a drop in sales, and a drop in consumption of sugary drinks.

"Consumption of free sugars, including products like sugary drinks, is a major factor in the global increase of people suffering from obesity and diabetes," said Dr Douglas Bettcher, director of the WHO's department for the prevention of non-communicable diseases.

Speaking with Paul Henry, Green Party Health spokesperson Julie Ann Genter said obesity is a ticking time bomb for New Zealand: 

"If we don't deal with it [obesity] soon, it's going to end up costing us a whole lot."

In a statement, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said a sugar tax is "not something we [the government] are actively considering," and that there is "no evidence" to suggest that it would have an effect.

Ms Genter responded, saying "there is evidence that suggests it is effective" after Mexico introduced a tax in 2014.

Mexico has a 10 percent tax on sugary drinks, which Ms Genter says has reduced consumption.

The Ministry of Health, however, says it is not possible to draw a reliable conclusion from Mexico as the tax was only introduced in 2014.

"You need something with real teeth, like a sugar tax to send the signal to the industry that it's time for you to step up, innovate and sell some products that aren't gonna make our children's health worse," Ms Genter said.

New Zealand has high levels of obesity in both adults and children, with almost 1 in 3 adults being identified as obese in 2015.

Newshub.