Dear MEL School’s
Topic Readers,
Sugar tax may be necessary,
England's chief medical officer says
As reported in the
previous issue, Volume 707, WHO is going to reduce the daily sugar intake target
for the first time in 12 years. Now England, where obesity and overweight
ratios are both among the highest in developed countries, is trying to find
ways to reduce sugar intake in a practical and aggressive way. Tax on sugar,
sounds old fashioned, doesn’t it?
Sugar seems addictive,
or at least attractive, to the human brain’s reward circuits even in a smaller
scale than drugs like cocaine. Many, even a very intelligent and logical adult,
has to try to overcome this attraction at the end of a big meal when a desert
menu or sample is presented, and often times, indulges in a short-time
satisfaction and regrets the act later. So, it is more challenging for kids to
give up sugar enriched carbonated drinks when they have a chance or access to
one.
Will higher prices
discourage kids to drink sugary drinks? How high is enough? Will more labeling on
the bottle help consumers give up drinking it? Smokers may know the answer.
Enjoy reading and
learning about the battle against obesity.
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