DIABETES Australia (DA) has reiterated its call for an introduction of a "health levy" on sugar sweetened drinks to help combat Australia's obesity epidemic and reduce the number of people developing type 2 diabetes.
Referencing new Australian National University research released last week, the consumer support group said the data showed that increased sugary drink consumption can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes independent of weight gain or obesity.
More than 40,000 adults' habits showed that the more sugary drinks consumed, the higher the risk of type 2 diabetes.
"Research suggests that after reducing consumption of sugar drinks a levy could generate between $400-$500 million a year in much needed revenue," suggested DA ceo Greg Johnson.
Such a levy could help reduce consumption by more than 10%.
"Over 25 years a tax on sugary drinks could mean 16,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes, 4,400 fewer cases of heart disease and 1,100 fewer cases of stroke," he said, with countries such as France, Chile and Mexico already introducing levies on sugary drinks.
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