Did you know that more than 50 countries, including Mexico, the UK, France, Portugal, and South Africa, have implemented a sugar tax, also known as sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) Tax? This is one of the many strategies that governments are using to promote healthier lifestyles and combat the negative effects of sugar consumption. While the specific details of the sugar tax vary by country, it typically involves a fee or levy on drinks that contain added sugar. The aim of a sugar tax is to reduce sugar consumption, which is linked to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
The results of sugar tax implementations have been pretty sweet. For instance, in Mexico, a 10% tax on sugary drinks led to a 12% reduction in consumption, while in the UK, a sugar tax on drinks led to a 28.8% reduction in sugar content. This is a step in the right direction towards a healthier future.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that Australia is one of the highest per capita consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in the world. The biggest culprits being Aussies aged 18-24 years, consuming on average a staggering 3.4 cups of these sugary drinks per day.
The average 330ml serve of soft drink contains between 8 and 12 teaspoons of sugar! So when you consider that just 40ml of a sugary drink a day (less than one can!) increases your risk of type 2 diabetes by 22%, it becomes clear that there is an urgent need for effective measures to reduce SSB consumption in Australia.
Who wants to pay more tax? No one! That's why a sugar tax is being considered as a great motivator to rethink your drink and switch to healthier beverage choices.
Now, we know what you're thinking "But I love my sugary drinks, they give me energy and taste great!" We get it, change is hard but that’s where FAMOUS Soda comes in...
Unlike other sugar-free alternatives that rely on artificial sweeteners, FAMOUS Soda uses all-natural ingredients to make zero sugar sodas that look and taste like the traditional soda without the harmful effects. With the FAMOUS range you don't have to sacrifice your health, you can still enjoy the refreshing taste of soda without worrying about the negative consequences that come with excess sugar consumption (or added sugar tax).
Shocking Facts About Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) in Australia:
- SSBs are the largest source of added sugars in the Australian diet.
- Australians consume an average of 46 grams of free sugars per day, which is almost double the recommended daily intake.
- A 500ml energy drink can contain up to 13 teaspoons of sugar.
- 47% of Australian children aged 2-18 years consume SSBs on a daily basis.
- The high sugar content in SSBs is a major contributor to tooth decay in Australian children.
- If you drink one 600ml bottle of sugar-sweetened soda every day for a year, you would be consuming approximately 23 kgs of sugar.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4733620/
https://www.rethinksugarydrink.org.au/downloads/rethink-sugary-drink-infographic.pdf
https://www.obesityevidencehub.org.au/collections/prevention/the-case-for-a-tax-on-sweetened-sugary-drinks