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Will taxing soft drinks help curb obesity in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥?

Tuesday, 9 May 2017

It's not unusual to be discussing new taxes during Federal Budget week, but a at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide will this week revive the issue of a tax on soft drinks.

With poor diet and obesity overtaking smoking as ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s leading preventable disease, Dr Caroline Miller will ask: Is it time to tax soft drinks in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥?

Dr Miller is a Beacon Senior Research Fellow with the School of Public Health at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide and leads a research group at the South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). Her group researches public health in areas such as tobacco control, obesity prevention and alcohol consumption.

"For many years ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ has been a world leader in tobacco control, and now has among the lowest rates of smoking in the world. This is due to health professionals and policy makers alike recognising that smoking is major a public health problem requiring a public health response," Dr Miller says.

"Many of the lessons we've learned in reducing smoking could also be applied to the over-consumption of unhealthy food and beverages, such as soft drinks.

"Internationally, health agencies are investigating and implementing a range of interventions, including public education programs and tougher regulations. The issue of a tax on soft drinks has still not been fully debated in a genuine way at a health or policy making level.

"There is an opportunity here for ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ to show its leadership once again," Dr Miller says.

Prior to joining SAHMRI and the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥, Dr Miller was General Manager, Cancer Control at Cancer Council SA. She has been involved in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s major tobacco control initiatives, including hard-hitting television campaigns, graphic warning labels, and ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s world-leading standardised tobacco packaging.

WHAT: Executive Dean's Public Lecture Series: Is it time to tax soft drinks in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥? by Dr Caroline Miller
WHERE: G030 lecture theatre, Adelaide Health and Medical School building, ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide
WHEN: TOMORROW – 5.30-6.30pm, Wednesday 10 May 2017
COST: Free and open to all –

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