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6/20/2019

Topic Reading-Vol.2626-6/20/2019


Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Is it time to treat sugar like smoking?
Plain tobacco packaging requires the removal of all branding, such as colors, imagery, logos, and trademarks, and permits manufacturers to print only the brand name in a regulated size, font, and place on the pack. The rest of the package’s area must be printed with, often severely discouraging health warning to deter smoking. In 2012, Australia became the first country to introduce plain packaging. In the UK, plain packaging became a requirement for all cigarettes sold after May 2017. In Asia, Thailand is becoming the first country to mandate plain packaging starting from September this year.
There is a more serious health problem in the UK. Obesity is now one of the leading preventable cause of death. More than one-third of men and over 8 in 10 women are thought to be overweight or obese, and by next year, the ratio is predicted to reach 90%. This serious weight problem has been increasing the number of deaths by diabetes, heart diseases, and cancers as well as medical costs. And children are no exception. They are constantly exposed to attractive sweets and sugary drinks, which often contains multiple times of recommended daily sugar intake per serving.
In order to make people think twice before opening the attractive package of a such-rich snack or twisting the cap of a sugary drink, a new move to introduce “discouraging packaging” is on the rise. Imagine a chocolate or candy bar wrapped in a plain package full of health warning with a plain brand name. For producers, it would be awfully difficult to market or promote new products that aren’t familiar to consumers. It would also be difficult for consumers to distinguish Coke from Pepsi.
Though it may sound too radical when the smoking ban in public places or plain tobacco packaging was first discussed, neither of which had been expected to pass Parliament.
Enjoy reading the article and think if the idea is a good step towards a sugar-free diet.

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