Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I am very much in favour of the proposal for a sugary drinks tax. This made world news when the proposal was implemented in New York, but taxes on sugary drinks have been introduced in various forms. Just as taxes on cigarettes have reduced smoking quite considerably and smoking is no longer cool as it once was, the same could apply to sugary drinks.
We have a tremendous obesity problem in South Africa, not to mention diabetes and once again we are paying the hospital bills for the vast majority of people who have to be treated for these conditions and who do not have Medical Aid. People are often in favour of individual freedom and individual rights, but they are not so enthusiastic when they hear that their tax rates have to go up because the Government has to spend so much money on a variety of things, including healthcare. It’s all great until you pay for it – and so many don’t appreciate that everything you get costs! There is no doubt that sugar is an absolute poison and I was interested to read the statistics that the sale of sugary drinks in South Africa grew by over 65% from 2001 to 2015. Where a tax on sugary drinks would be very helpful is that it is often the poorer income earners who suffer the most from obesity and also tend to buy more of these drinks. A tax on sugary drinks pushing up their price will assist as one advertising campaign suggests at the moment, in reducing an unhealthy diet amongst the poorer members of our society.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 20-Mar-17
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Comments
Lucretia said:
on Monday 03-Apr-17 03:13 PM
Instead of pushing up the tax on sugary drinks, why does the government not subsidise healthy foods. Yes the poorer people tend to be more obese but it is because the foods they can afford are the fattening ones, i.e. bread, maize, etc. I would love to only eat healthy food everyday but, let us face it, healthy food is very costly. Maybe the government should change the way it looks at things.
Dune said:
on Monday 03-Apr-17 02:52 PM
Good idea, but lets see if this will actually be effective, obesity is becoming a huge problem in South Africa with over 70% of woman and a third of men are being classified as overweight. This will definitely make you think twice before buying a coke, or a bottle of water.
Lourien said:
on Friday 31-Mar-17 04:19 PM
My opinion is that it is for a good cause, people should learn to drink more water and try to drink less fizzy drinks. Although I don't know if this will actually decrease people buying more sugary drinks. People who drink alcohol or use cigarettes will always have money for those items and it is only when they really want to stop or reduce the intake that they actually will buy less of that product. Maybe we should focus more on the reasons why sugary drinks are fattening and how bad it is for everyone's health to make everyone aware of the health risks.
Ashleigh said:
on Friday 31-Mar-17 09:35 AM
I love sugar but I do agree with this. Especially if it is going to help with health reasons. I see so many sugary things in children's diets daily which affects their health in various aspects today and its affecting their self esteems as well.
zindy said:
on Friday 31-Mar-17 09:19 AM
I don't think this will stop people from buying sugary drinks, like sin tax for smokers, they increase the price and those who want to smoke are still going to smoke.
Brenda van den Bergh said:
on Wednesday 29-Mar-17 05:27 PM
I dont think this is a bad thing at all. In fact, i am all for it. I am, and i am embarassed to say this, additcted to Coca Cola. I have recently made the decision to go cold turkey and if the tax prices on sugary drinks go up, it will make my journey to being coke free a lot easier, and i will stick to the healthier government juice :)
Nicolle said:
on Monday 27-Mar-17 09:37 AM
I'm absolutely thrilled that yet again, the taxman may decide to severely punish the "naughty, naughty" citizens who indulge on naughty things such as sugars, and, drinking, and smoking. Raking up the revenue on people's bad habits! I ask you, what would happen to a country's economy, let alone a global economy, should all the "naughty" people quit their bad habits? Would they bump the tax on fruits and vegetables?
Mathilda said:
on Friday 24-Mar-17 11:39 AM
Luckily I do not drink sugary drinks or eat sweets
I agree that it’s a good idea and this will maybe help people choose a healthier option
But I don’t think it will completely stop people from buying fizzy drinks and sweets
brumilde said:
on Friday 24-Mar-17 10:59 AM
i like my chocolate now and then but i dont beige on it so i agree that this is a good idea. this will only benefit people to help them (force them) to buy less sugary stuff. a healthy nation is a happy nation hehe
Cornelie said:
on Friday 24-Mar-17 09:59 AM
I don't think it will stop people from drinking coke etc maybe it will reduce a little bit but some times you grave a fizzy drink so badley.
Helen said:
on Friday 24-Mar-17 09:45 AM
I would be very happy if this proposal can be implemented in South Africa too. Much higher tax must be on all sugar drinks and all junk food, that people can stop poison themselves. Rather get juicer and buy fresh fruits and vegetables, this kind of juices can be diluted with water! So much vitamins and nutrients can be consumed this way, where only poison in those sugar drinks!!!
Tersia said:
on Friday 24-Mar-17 08:53 AM
I don't really drink sugary drinks - so it's fine with me. I have noticed that people in South Africa are a lot more fat than we all were 20 years ago. I don't think people understand really what they are consuming, people should be more educated on that note is my opinion. We don't always realize that to tax more on a item is to actually help us, we would rather think it's just the Government wanting to take more of our money.
Prishani said:
on Thursday 23-Mar-17 05:22 PM
Many South Africans are not very conscious about eating healthy, but they are always willing to save abit at the end of each month. Hopefully this will be a good thing in terms of encouraging the country, especially the youth to watch what they drink. For most people it might not affect them at all, but it may just be that they end up buying less sugary drinks because of this increase. Either way I see it as a good thing!
Zanell said:
on Thursday 23-Mar-17 05:05 PM
I still don't think this will stop people from buying fizzy drinks, even the price of smokes have increased and this still doesn't stop people from smoking this just made some people shift over to a cheaper brand
Zanell said:
on Thursday 23-Mar-17 05:05 PM
I still don't think this will stop people from buying fizzy drinks, even the price of smokes have increased and this still doesn't stop people from smoking this just made some people shift over to a cheaper brand
Tamaryn said:
on Thursday 23-Mar-17 10:31 AM
I'm in big support of sugar tax and I do hope it will have the desired effect of lowering the amount of sugary drinks which people consume. The medical research shows the link between sugar and diabetes and it's only foolish to think that one can consume large amounts of sugar and suffer no consequences.
Alexis said:
on Thursday 23-Mar-17 08:37 AM
I am all for it, however it will not stop people at all from buying same. If a person wants something, regardless of the price, they will pay for it. Look at smokers - smokes are expensive, yet the smokers still proceed as per usual and will pay the price for same
Safia said:
on Wednesday 22-Mar-17 06:37 PM
All junk processed food and soft drinks must be taxed and cost a lot more than they cost nowdays.
even if people bake/make their own sweets at home because they want something sweet but cant afford it, it would be healthier than processed sugary junk loaded with preservatives, colorants and other dangerous chemicals.
This tax must go towards treating obesity related deceases,cancer,dentistry, diabetics and high cholesterol etc,all deceases that happen due to poor diet of processed food.
Jolene said:
on Wednesday 22-Mar-17 03:10 PM
Sugar is bad for us in so many ways. I think it is a good thing that they increased that tax on surgery drinks. Obesity is a big problem and anything to help prevent it is a good thing.
Sinead said:
on Wednesday 22-Mar-17 03:03 PM
Even though I do not consume a lot of sugar in my daily life, I do enjoy a glass of something fizzy every now and then.
Raising the price won't affect many people as it is the same with smokers and their tax being increased. I hear it all the time "When the price is X, I will stop smoking" but that is never the case.
At the same time, food goes up and you don't see people cutting down on that =''D
Bianca said:
on Wednesday 22-Mar-17 01:23 PM
I do not honestly believe that applying a tax to sugary drinks will reduce consumption at all, I look at myself as a smoker and no matter how the sin taxes are increased, we still find a way to continue to purchase cigarettes and I do believe that it will be the same with sugary drinks. I drink a lot of water daily but I am a huge fan of Coke Light and Sprite Zero, although I have cut down drastically.
Liesl said:
on Wednesday 22-Mar-17 11:14 AM
One is becoming more and more aware of the fact that eating healthily plays a very big roll in one's life. Healthy foods are far more expensive although some people may argue that but everyone should try to the best of their ability to scrutinize their eating habits and to lean towards healthy foods where possible.
Henrietta said:
on Wednesday 22-Mar-17 10:27 AM
I am also in favour of this taxed proposal. I just hope that it does bring the sale down. I must honestly say that lately I cannot stand sweet stuff, guess I can blame it on the hormones but I found Fanta Orange so sweet to the point that it makes me nausea. I'm not one for these sugary drinks and will only drink sprite on the odd occasion. There are so many people addicted to coke it's scary.
Angelique P said:
on Wednesday 22-Mar-17 08:27 AM
It's much better to drink water instead of sugary drinks.
I try my best to only drink water or diet cold drinks. It's anyways so expensive to buy sugary drinks and it's only harmful. I will rather eat my calories than to drink it.
Joyce said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 05:51 PM
I think it is a good idea to raise the price of sugary drinks. I also think that sugary drinks are poisonous. I think the high price of sugary drinks will reduce the number of people buying sugary drinks
Thabitha said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 05:45 PM
I am not sure if it will help, take from cigarettes and alcohol people smokes and drinks a lot lately as if cigarettes and alcohol is cheap and does not course any health problems but if people can take their health condition seriously then it will help.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 03:37 PM
I have proudly cut out most sugar so I can safely say this wont affect me :) I say proudly because it was quite difficult. Don't get me wrong, I occasionally use sweeteners but now that I am anti-sugar it helps. People who abuse sugar should bear the brunt of it. Our tax money goes to the medical institutions that people have to get treatment at due to "sugar overload". Apparently sugar is 10 times more addictive that cocaine! What does that say? :) #JustSaying
Daniella said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 12:58 PM
If smokers can accept the Sin Tax on Cigarettes constantly going up, and come to an understanding that it is an expensive habit, then so can people that drink sugary drinks on the daily.
Michelle said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 12:16 PM
I am so glad that they have made this decision. It is a good thing that tax rates on unhealthy products are so high. People must just learn to drink water its healthy, delicious and FOR FREE!
Jadine said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 10:33 AM
I am in total agreement with the Tax! It is about time we started accepting responsibility for our actions. Garbage in creates garbage out and why must we; that do take consideration of our health pay for those that do not?
Liz said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 10:06 AM
As with many products that are not an immediate threat to ones health, the warnings are often ignored and people argue that just one more soda will not do any harm. The proposal of a sugary drinks tax will, however, aid in curbing the consumption of sugary drinks as there will now be financial implications to consider.
Nina said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 09:40 AM
I am definelty for taxing sugar products. It obviously won't stop everyone from spending so much money on sugary drinks etc. but at least it will help to some extent. It is scary that there are so many people suffering from diabetes which was soley caused by unhealthy habits.
Juliet said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 09:31 AM
Sugar is terrible for the general health of and brain development in small children. I have seen my son sleep longer sleeps if he eats sugar because his body simply cannot process it. It is a terrible thing because children become addicted to it. I am glad we are getting this tax because I always notice how manual labourers often buy 2 litres of coke instead of buying some food. It is a drug and hopefully this does have an impact on sugar consumption and therefore a positive impact on the health of the society.
Suzanne said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 09:29 AM
Although this will not affect my pocket as much (I try to not have sugary drinks in my home due to a little one who wants it all the time), I do think it will make an overall difference. Rather go for the healthier options and save some "sin tax" in the process.
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 09:18 AM
The Department of Health says taxing sugar-sweetened drinks is essential as a first step to curbing the rising trend of obesity in South Africa and to lessen the burden on the public health system. I don't think we understand what goes into these drinks. Everyone should think twice before drinking sugary drinks.
Nikita said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 09:13 AM
One also needs to consider the BPA which is contained in these drinks. Studies say it can be a cancer causing agent. People need to be more considerate of what they put into their bodies and think about the harmful chemicals that can cause you a slow and painful death.
patrick said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 09:04 AM
sugar intake has something to do with the sort of education that get fed to people .i.e" that sugar gives energy". like in any war, if you teach kids about the dangers of sugar at early level we will win the fight.
Jessica Apfel said:
on Monday 20-Mar-17 08:24 AM
All around Johannesburg CBD are large billboards advocating this very point. Sugary-drinks tax will soon become on par with a 'sin tax' as it should. We are plagued with so many under nourished and malnourished children that it is essential that Government step in! For an African country to be amongst the top 5 in obesity ratings is quite alarming! I myself do not dribk very many sugary-drinks and intend to keep it that way, not only to avoid the sin tax but to remain healthy.
In saying that though, I just hope that it isnt excessive!
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
