In the midst of a “tragedy in motion”—the increasing number of people diagnosed with diabetes—a former general practitioner turned politician is urging the government to impose a tax on sugary drinks.
Dr. Sophie Scamps, an independent member of parliament for Makellar, has demanded that the government of Albanese immediately implement a tax on sugary drinks and limit the advertising of unhealthy food to children.
About 1.5 million people in Australia are known to be living with a kind of diabetes, which is why Dr. Scamps is making this plea.
In addition, her demands come after a historic study on diabetes in Australia was tabled, with the goal of alleviating the “burden” that chronic diseases impose on the country’s healthcare system.
The predicted increase in the number of Australians living with diabetes was mentioned by Dr. Mike Freelander, chair of the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport.
He went on to say that the Committee’s goal was to bring attention to the disease’s primary risk factors, such obesity, by focusing on prevention.
To help the government do more to combat diabetes and obesity, the Committee put up 23 suggestions.
According to Dr. Scamps, the government should charge sugary drinks and limit the marketing and advertising of unhealthy food to children on internet and gaming platforms in order to tackle the diabetes pandemic.
Programmes that focus solely on changing people’s actions “will never be enough,” according to Dr. Scamps.
“It is our moral obligation to shield kids from the manipulative advertising of harmful food products. According to her, “unhealthy food marketing” is all over the internet, TV, and radio, making it impossible for youngsters to avoid it.
