A new Australian study suggests a 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks may prevent 3.7 million cases of tooth decay as well as 306,000 cases of gum disease or complete tooth loss nationally.

Health experts have thrown their support behind the proposal, which aligns with long-standing recommendations from the World Health Organization.

Researchers suggest money generated from the proposed tax could be used to strengthen oral health services, improving access and cutting costs at the dentist.

  • Fleur_@aussie.zoneEnglish
    24·
    1 day ago

    Yeah I smoke a pack a day and its all good because I keep going back to my doctor and he let’s me know I am actively harming myself and wasting both his time and taxpayer money by continuing to live an unhealthy life

    • eremophila@lemmy.zipEnglish
      1·
      24 hours ago

      They aren’t the same thing, and your erm ‘argument’ appears to be against dental being included in medicare, which it very obviously should have been for a long time, or are you just arguing against medicare completely?

      I very, very rarely consume soft drinks, and I don’t smoke. I do have teeth and lungs.