Australian drinks industry rejects study findings

The findings of a recent study suggesting a tax on drinks would save lives has been described as absurd by the Australian beverage industry.

The Australian Beverages Council, representing the non-alcoholic beverage industry, has rejected claims an Australian tax on soft drinks would save lives.

“This study shows what a ludicrous and lightweight idea a tax on a small and declining part of the diet would be. In 2016 we should be expecting more from our so called health experts,” Australian Beverages Council CEO, Geoff Parker, said.

According to the study, which was co-authored by the Obesity Policy Coalition and the University of Queensland's School of Public Health, a 20 per cent tax on sugar-sweetened beverages could save more than 1600 lives.

The study seeks to model Australian population data to assess the impact of a sugary drinks tax, and it has forecast 16,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes, 4400 fewer cases of heart disease and more than 1000 fewer cases of stroke in the first 25 years of a sugary drinks tax.

However Parker pointed to real world examples of such taxes around the world which he said painted a very different picture.

“These claims are absurd. Theoretical lab modelling is one thing, but when taxes like this are introduced in real life, experience in Mexico and France clearly shows it does nothing to address overweight and obesity.

“In fact, the only real impact is the loss of jobs, which in Mexico, is currently at over 11,000."

According to Parker, a recent CSIRO analysis of ABS data from the most recent national nutrition survey showed that the discretionary or treat portion of the average adult’s diet was 38 per cent.

“We would all agree this needs to reduce, but within that, soft drinks were ranked seventh. What about pastries and biscuits and pizza and every other treat food that ranked ahead of soft drinks? Why not slap a tax on meat pies?”