Appetite for Sugar Tax to Fight Diabetes and Obesity

Published on July 6, 2024

A 20 percent tax on all sugar-sweetened drinks should spearhead efforts to stem Australia’s diabetes epidemic, a parliamentary inquiry has found. The year-long inquiry into the nation’s fastest-growing chronic disease made 23 recommendations aimed at strengthening the government’s response to diabetes and obesity. Committee chair and Labor MP Mike Freelander said the report tabled in federal parliament this week aimed to improve health outcomes for the 1.5 million Australians affected by diabetes, by seeking to raise awareness of major risk factors such as obesity. “The committee heard about ways the Australian government can improve access to new diabetes technology and life-saving medications for people living with different forms of diabetes,” Dr. Freelander said....

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