But Obesity Crisis is Broader
The Tasmanian Greens today said that the call for a sugar tax to be introduced to tackle obesity rates by the Director of Public Health warrants serious consideration, but should not be considered the solution on its own.
Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that the state must boost its preventative health focus across all areas to ensure a comprehensive campaign is wages to tackle obesity, whether a federal sugar tax is introduced or not.
“Proposal for a federal sugar tax have merit as the obesity epidemic means that all options must be seriously considered, but it will not be a panacea on its own,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Suggesting a new tax never goes down well, and the Director of Public health is to be commended for putting this on the table for public discussion so bluntly.”
“However, Tasmania must not lose focus on pulling out all stops itself to tackle Tasmania’s obesity rates.”
“The Greens have long been on the record urging a comprehensive preventative health approach, as the science is in that many of these public health crises such as smoking rates, obesity, and other are interrelated.”
“So long as we do not lose focus on the fact that we will never succeed in tackling just one in isolation, then every little bit helps and we would support the investigation of a sugar tax as part of a comprehensive package of preventative health measures.”
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Health spokesperson Friday, 31 May 2013
