Should New Zealand adopt a sugar tax?

Thursday, 8 March 2018

Fizzy drinks. We know they're not good for us, but it seems we can't walk down a main street without being bombarded by advertising telling us to 'taste the feeling'.

Life's better with a bottle of pop in hand, right? Well, let's not ignore the facts.

Health experts say fizzy drinks are a leading cause of tooth decay and diabetes among Kiwis.

The most recent New Zealand national nutrition survey data for children – which is 16 years old – shows sugary drinks make up more than a quarter of sugar in the diets of Kiwi children.

And let's not forget we are the third heaviest country in the OECD. Undoubtedly, sugar has a huge part to play in this statistic.

In 2012 France became the first country to adopt a tax on sugary and artificially sweetened drinks. 

Mexico followed suit two years later, and as of today, Chile, Britain, Ireland, Brunei, Norway, 13 Pacific Island nations, and six US cities have all passed laws taxing sugar-sweetened beverages.

A sugar tax has long been debated in New Zealand, so should it finally become a reality?

Do you think an increase in the price of fizzy drinks would influence the amount consumed by Kiwis? Would it help us on the path to a healthier nation?

Would it affect your personal consumption? Or would you resort to something else - such as chocolate - for a sugar fix?

Is it ethical to add tax to sugary beverages for the sake of health? Would this kind of tax affect certain parts of society more or less? Would this be fair?

If there was a tax, should it just be on fizzy drinks, or other sugary foods as well?

A sugar tax has channelled millions of dollars to underprivileged kids and cut soft drink consumption in parts of the US. Could it do the same here - why, or why not?

Where would the revenue be best used in New Zealand? Perhaps funding fruit and vegetables? Or dental care for children?

We want to hear your thoughts.

To get involved, hit the button below. As usual, we prefer submissions of 250 words or more. If you have any pictures or videos to go with your story, we'd be keen to see them. App users email stuffnation@stuff.co.nz