Heavy taxes have been placed on harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol to discourage their consumption. Yet sugar, another addictive harmful substance, does not face these strict taxation measures. Sugar consumption has been well established by health experts as the single most harmful ingredient in the modern diet, contributing to illnesses like diabetes, heart, liver and kidney disease, cancer, and more. Sugar consumption has also been responsible for increasing childhood obesity rates worldwide, including in Singapore, where around 1.7 million Singaporeans are at risk of obesity-related diseases.
Dean, Professor Chia Kee Seng estimated in 2012 that 1 in 3 Singaporeans will develop diabetes by age 69, leading to a host of health complications and resulting cost implications. More preventive measures to reduce consumption need to be undertaken, including introducing taxes on sugared drinks and soda, following in the footsteps of countries like Mexico, the UK and the city of Berkeley in California.
Media Coverage:
- The Business Times, Commentary, 1 February 2016