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Rethinking sweet drinks: the dentist looking for a health tax
Dental caries caused by sugary drinks is affecting more and more young children, according to the Australian Dental Association.
"There has certainly been an increase in caries over the last five to ten years, especially among young children and young men," said Dr. Mark Morrin, dentist in Newcastle.
"There is nothing more tragic than giving a toddler a sweet drink in his bottle. It's horrible, but it happens.
Dr. Morrin is President of the Newcastle Branch of the Australian Dental Association.
The badociation is part of a group of health organizations and community organizations that have supported a new campaign titled "Rethinking Sweet Beverage."
The campaign worries about the amount of sugar in soft drinks and the overconsumption of sugary drinks. It targets soft drinks, sports, energy, fruit and hearty beverages.
Unsporting: This image of the Rethink Sugary Drink campaign highlights the concerns regarding sports drinks.
Dr. Morrin said that overconsumption of sugary drinks is often a socio-economic problem.
"Parents need to be educated," he said.
"It's also the amount of advertising and campaigns from these manufacturers. They particularly target young men.
Research shows that young consumers of sugary drinks are young men aged 12 to 24 years old. In fact, men are more consumers than women in all age groups.
In addition to dental disasters, sugary drinks are linked to general health problems.
Too bad: activists are also in the crosshairs of activists for their high sugar content, as well as for soft drinks and warm syrups.
Oral health is badociated with major chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and pregnancy problems.
Sugary drinks have also been identified as a key factor in obesity, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
The campaign is asking the federal government to introduce a health tax on sugary drinks in order to raise the price by 20%.
In addition, it calls on state governments to impose mandatory restrictions on the sale of sugary drinks in schools, government institutions, sports and children's events, as well as in places frequented by children. Activists want this measure to be badociated with an increase in the availability of free water.
The industry that sells soft drinks advocates the belief that "all foods and beverages can be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet and a physically active lifestyle."
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