Sugar tax urged to fix child obesity
A "SUGAR tax" should be introduced on soft drinks and sweets to help overcome childhood obesity, a South Australian MP said today.
Independent MP Kris Hanna, who has written to federal Treasurer Peter Costello proposing the tax, said revenue raised could go towards educational programs that teach young people the benefits of healthy eating.
"At the moment, it's cheaper to buy a fizzy sweet drink than fruit juice," Mr Hanna said.
"And it's certainly cheaper to buy a Mars bar than a banana.
"We need to turn that around with a sugar tax that funds an education program in our schools and in the media."
Mr Hanna said with a similar tax in France sales of sweet alcoholic drinks dropped by 40 per cent in the first year.
He said the Federal Government should also legislate that all junk food advertisements carry health warnings.
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