Should Australia tax soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages?
Video clip at right: On January 20, 2023, 7 News Australia's Sunrise program interviewed the vice president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) who explained why the AMA is calling for a tax on sugary drinks.
The Issue at a Glance
What they said...'We've seen the success sugar taxes have overseas in reducing consumption of soft drinks, which deliver around 12-teaspoons of sugar per can.'
AMA President Professor Steve Robson
'A sugar tax on non-alcoholic drinks will add a strain to family finances without providing a concrete, wholistic solution to a decades old problem.'
Media release from the Australian Beverages Council
The issue at a glance
On January 5, 2024, United States research was published indicating the success of sugary drinks taxes in reducing consumption.
On December 5, 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) called on governments worldwide to increase taxes on sugary drinks.
As of May 2022, 85 countries have imposed some form of tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). On September 7, 2023, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) told a parliamentary inquiry into diabetes that a sugar tax would significantly reduce the $3.1 billion cost to Australia's health system caused by the disease.
On September 5, 2023, the Australian Dental Association also addressed the diabetes inquiry and called for a levy on sugary drinks that would increase the price by 20 percent.
Several industry groups, including the Australian Beverages Council, the Australian Sugar Research Alliance, and the Australian Food and Grocery Council oppose an SSB tax.
Australian health authorities have sought a sugar tax for years but have not succeeded in gaining government support.