How quickly times change! In the months since the UK Government announced a sugar tax, we’ve seen conversation about the topic bubbling up in very unexpected places.
And it looks like the lash back against Big Soda is fully set in motion. Across the world, from Canada to the Philippines, governments have brought the sugar tax debate public (and South Africa has even announced its implementation in 2017).
Here’s the latest update on the worldwide progress on the sugar tax… and just what’s going on our home shores.
The new recruits: Thailand, Northern Marianas.
Thailand and the Northern Mariana Islands are just a couple of steps away from a sugar tax. Thailand’s proposal was initially approved by 153 votes to two, and will now be decided by cabinet. Meanwhile, Northern Marianas simply needs the Governor’s signature before the sugar tax becomes law.
With overweight population rates in Thailand and Northern Marianas reaching critical levels (31 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively), it’s reassuring to see these governments making an example out of Big Soda.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is evenly split.
You might think that the home of Coca-Cola would be staunchly against a “soda tax”, but new polling data suggests that the debate has divided people right down the middle. While just one U.S. city (Berkeley, California) has successfully passed a sugar tax, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania is getting closer to the target.
How close? Well, it has even attracted the attention of the presidential race, with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders disagreeing on the issue (she said yes, he said no). Watch this space.
Is anything happening Down Under?
*cricket noises, tumbleweeds rolling by*
While it’s made waves in the media, the Australian Government hasn’t even commented on the possibility of a sugar tax. Could it be to do with the visit Queensland Canegrowers made to Parliament to campaign against a sugar tax?
With lobby groups seeking to stamp out debate before it even starts, we can only hope the Government stays true and gives the proposal a fair go. After all, it’s the future of this country’s health we have to think about.
Want to get the Government talking? Sign our petition for an Australian sugar tax at http://ift.tt/1rToWLx.
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