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.

  • kalpol@lemmy.caEnglish
    2·
    17 hours ago

    Is it though? Legally? My point is that the law has to be explicit about what is taxed. Manufacturers will figure out ways around it and we will just end up paying more for sugar to make our banana bread or whatever.

    • yistdaj@pawb.socialEnglish
      1·
      5 hours ago

      Yes, corn syrup is a sugar. It shows up as such, by law, in nutrition tables.

      Sugar is a broad category referring to many different compounds. If it’s a carbohydrate that is sweet and dissolves in water, it’s a sugar.