Should NZ have a sugar tax? We present the facts
We know that sugar is bad for our teeth, but most Kiwis still consume a considerable amount on a regular basis.
In fact it’s estimated that the average Kiwi consumes around 12-14 teaspoons of sugar per day (49-57 grams; University of Otago), compared to the Ministry of Health’s recommendation of no more than 7 teaspoons (30g) per day. Younger people tend to consume far more than older people.
In this article, we’d like to take a look at one proposed solution to cutting the nation’s sugar intake: a sugar tax. We’ll examine some of the sugar taxes around the world, talk pros and cons, and discuss quick ways to cut sugar from your diet.
What is a sugar tax?
A quick bit of clarification on what we mean by ‘sugar’: In this article when we refer to ‘sugar’ we mean free sugar. That is, added sugar found in sweet treats as well as syrup, fruit juice and concentrates. We’re not talking about naturally occurring sugar in, for example, fruit.
Depending on which country you research, the term ‘sugar tax’ differs a bit. Generally (and for our purposes today) it means imposing an additional tax on sugary products, with the intention that they will increase in price and, therefore, people will buy them less.
There has been a campaign for some time across NZ to introduce such a tax here. For example, the NZ Dental Association believes this could go a long way to helping reduce rates of oral health problems, particularly in children.
What are the results of sugar taxes overseas?
In the UK: The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy reduced the amount of sugar purchased per household (via soft drinks) by 10%. This was in part because manufacturers offered low-sugar alternatives to buy, and because a number of sugary beverages were exempt from the tax (like milk drinks and alcohol). (University of Cambridge)
In Mexico: The introduction of a sugar tax led to a decline in purchase rates of up to 17%. Reductions were highest in poorer households. But, the study showing these results did not have any findings on the health implications (just sales). (British Medical Journal)
In South Africa: The South African sugar levy decreased sugary beverage consumption by 29%, which amounted to about a 51% decrease in sugar consumption. (NZDA)
The pros and cons of a sugar tax
Pros
Reduced sugar consumption is the primary goal of a sugar tax. And, as we’re seeing around the world, there are results that indicate increasing the price of sugary treats does reduce demand.
Imposing a tax also increases awareness of the issue, which has proven key to helping reduce sugar consumption and increase oral health rates.
Sugar taxes tend to affect lower socioeconomic households more. Evidence shows that those living on a tighter budget tend to be more negatively impacted by substances like sugar, and sugar taxes have reduced their household consumption more so than higher socioeconomic groups.
Cons
Because sugar taxes are all different, evidence is hard to gather. In science, what we’d look for in a study is ‘causality’ - that is, proof that one thing causes another. It’s hard to find causality in sugar taxes producing positive health outcomes because the evidence is all so different. It’s a puzzle but the pieces are all from different jigsaws. This leaves key questions unexplored and could mean that a better policy than a sugar tax is being missed due to the popularity of the sugar tax.
Sugar taxes can lead to increases in purchasing other unhealthy goods. Some reports show that drops in sugar consumption are being offset by increases in other types of consumption, like sugary milk drinks and alcohol in the UK. This means that, despite the tax, health outcomes are negligible.
We don’t know what the best sugar tax is. Governments can tax sugar in a lot of different ways, and they all hold different outcomes. So, which is best? We’re not sure, based on the evidence. Again, this could mean that better government initiatives are being overlooked by a focus on a sugar tax.
So is the solution a sugar tax, or no sugar tax?
It’s possible that a sugar tax could help New Zealand, but based on the evidence – and the NZDA’s own advice – it’s likely that it would be best in conjunction with other initiatives.
Other ways to reduce sugar intake across the country could be:
Making it cheaper to purchase sugar-free alternatives.
Marketing and sponsorship restrictions on junk food.
Changes to food labelling requirements.
Reduce availability of sugar-sweetened beverages around schools.
Public awareness campaigns.
If you support any of these, you don’t have to wait for the government to take action. Discuss the ideas with your friends and whānau, and talk to your local MP so they see it’s important to their community.
Quick tips for cutting down on sugar in your household
All of this article today has been some pretty big-picture stuff. But while it’s important to understand what’s going on in the world of science and health in this country, it doesn’t necessarily help you today.
If you’d like to cut down your sugar intake to try and improve the health of you and your loved ones, here are some ideas:
1. Know what to avoid
Free sugars are labelled in all sorts of ways on our food and drink packaging. Here are some examples of what to look for…
fructose
sucrose
glucose
maltose
fruit juice
honey
hydrolysed starch
invert sugar
corn syrup
molasses
Remember: The average person aged 11 and over should try to consume no more than 30g of sugar per day. For children aged 7-10 that drops to 24g, and everyone younger it drops to 19g.
2. Supplement sugary drinks for alternatives
Fizzy drinks, fruit drinks, concentrates, sugar-sweetened milk and alcohol can all contain a lot of sugar. So what can you supplement them with?
Water
Coffee and tea (unsweetened), if caffeine is OK in your diet
Herbal teas
Are zero-sugar fizzy drinks OK? They have other types of sweetener in them
To cut the cravings entirely it’s best to avoid even alternatives. But, to learn more about artificial sweeteners in New Zealand, click here.
3. Swap cereal for an alternate breakfast
Tons of breakfast cereals, kids cereals in particular, are loaded with sugar. While they might taste good, many are not a very healthy way to start the day.
These are alternatives:
Porridge, oats and unsweetened muesli.
Eggs are a great burst of protein in the morning.
Using fresh fruit to sweeten breakfast, instead of syrup, honey or sugar.
Spices like cinnamon can also add some sweetness.
Try to use plain or unsweetened yoghurt if you love yoghurt in the morning.
Having toast? Butter, some peanut butters and marmite/vegemite are usually low-sugar spreads.
4. Watch out for misleading ‘healthy’ foods
Some food portrays itself as healthy, and perhaps it does contain certain important nutrients, but they’re loaded with sugar.
Dried fruit and fruit sticks are two big examples, and may have as much sugar in them as a chocolate bar.
Muesli bars, protein bars and nut bars are also often full of sugar.
Alternative snacks include:
Nuts
Crackers and rice crackers (but check for sugar on the pack as plenty of brands are riddled with sugar)
Fresh fruit, or veggie snacks like carrot sticks
5. Check your food labels
It can be a pain at first to check every label you come across at the supermarket, but you’d be surprised what you’ll find with sugar in it.
Sauces and tinned goods (like baked beans) are common, for example. You’ll also find it in the frozen foods aisle, in the likes of chicken nuggets, fish fingers and some pre-made dinners.
Bread and dairy products are also often sweetened, as is a lot of alcohol.
What if I’m on a budget and can’t afford low-sugar alternatives?
You don’t have to cut your whānau’s sugar intake to zero. Little changes here and there can still go a long way when they stack up over the years. Check labels and do what you can, and you’ll be surprised what you might be able to achieve.
Worried about your teeth? Pop in to see us
If you’re ever worried about your oral health, it’s time to visit the dentist.
We’re here on Maunu Road in Whangarei if you need us. Call us on 09 430 0707 an appointment, or book online.
Read next: “How to clean your gums and keep them healthy”