Debating the Big Three
A glance around any busy street confirms what medical pundits are saying: obesity is endemic, which is giving rise to burgeoning diabetes rates. There is doubt among the medical profession whether our health system can cope.
So, it was good to see the Listener talking about the cause – not cure by diet – in the comprehensive article “Hit job” (March 27). This dealt with the court case against those involved in a campaign to discredit those fighting for effective regulation against the causes of our major health problems: sugar added to everything from baked beans to fizz, alcohol that lands taxpayers with an estimated $9.7 billion for related harm, and tobacco, which still causes horrendous health problems.
Clearly, there is oversupply. A tax on these commodities has been proven to reduce sales, but that would harm that sacred cow, profit.
Certainly, the liquor and sugar producers have led a charmed life until now, but hopefully this court case signals the turn of the tide. At a recent hearing for a third liquor outlet in little old Pleasant Point, South Canterbury (population about 1300), 30 people turned out to oppose it.
The Government has a comfortable majority and covets its “we care about people first” tag. It is respected for its handling of the Covid-19 crisis. Will it now do something about problems older and bigger than Covid, namely a surfeit of sugar that is
