UK sugar industry uses tobacco company tactics, say study authors
But the sugar tax has resulted in a reduction in child hospital admissions for carious tooth extractions.
The Soft Drinks Industry Levy, or ‘sugar tax’, has resulted in a significant reduction in hospital admissions for carious tooth extractions in children of all age groups, with the greatest reductions in younger children.
Similar trends have been observed in relation to childhood obesity, and in adults for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity-related cancer.
A new paper by Stefan Serban and David Conway, of the University of Glasgow, summarises the impact of the sugar tax, introduced by the UK Government in 2018, on general and oral health.
The authors say that the opposition of the sugar industry to taxation measures mirrors tactics used in the past by the tobacco industry “including shifting blame to alternative causes of disease and disseminating misleading information.”
They added: “While ‘sin taxes’ can be considered regressive in relation to income, it must be recognised that the most disadvantaged populations are also the most affected by the consequences of these commodities. Broader social and economic policies are needed to address the underlying inequalities at population level.”
The study coincides with a BBC Panorama investigation into the sugar content of baby food which in many cases, it said, exceeds that of Coca-Cola.
Meanwhile, the UK Government is consulting on proposals to extend the sugar tax to pre-packaged milkshakes and lattes. The Treasury also confirmed proposals to reduce the maximum amount of sugar allowed in drinks before they become subject to the levy from 5g to 4g per 100ml.