Kiwi dentists back graphic warnings on sugary drinks

29 May 2018

Media release
Kiwi dentists back suggestion of graphic cigarette-style health warnings on sugary drinks

The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) is backing a suggestion of adding graphic images of rotted teeth and health warnings on sugary drinks as way to encourage healthier behaviours.

The research was presented at the European Congress on Obesity by Professor Anna Peeters from Australia’s Deakin University.

Surveying nearly 1000 young adults, aged between 18 and 35, researchers showed a modelled 20% drop in purchases of drinks bearing a picture of rotten teeth.

“This is exactly one of the seven measures we have called upon in our Consensus Statement on Sugary Drinks,” said NZDA sugary drinks spokesperson Dr Rob Beaglehole.

“Europe is getting ahead of where New Zealand is at in addressing sugary drink harm. They are now talking about the idea of warning labels, and earlier this year the U.K introduced a comprehensive sugary drinks health levy,” said Dr Beaglehole.

Dr Beaglehole says that it’s not possible to keep ‘selling sickness’ without acknowledging the public health crisis in oral health damage, and obesity.

A consortium of public health groups is backing a NZDA-led 7-point Consensus Statement on Sugary Drinks. One of the measures includes the introduction of warning labels linking overconsumption of sugary drinks to poor health.

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Notes to editors:
The seven actions are;
1) Introducing an icon on drinks indicating, in teaspoons, the amount of sugar in each drink.
2) Independent monitoring and evaluation of food marketing, with an emphasis on marketing that influences children.
3) Urging the government to adopt WHO limit guidelines on sugar.
4) Encouraging public to switch to water by; introducing warning labels highlighting sugary drinks as risk factors for obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay, and a nationwide social marketing campaigns such as ‘Switch to Water’.
5) Working with schools and the Ministry of Education to introduce ‘water only’ policies.
6) Introducing local council ‘water only’ policies at council facilities and events.
7) Introduction of a ‘sugary drinks’ tax in line with WHO recommendations.

The Consensus Statement is endorsed by; Activity and Nutrition Aotearoa (ANA), Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Cancer Society of New Zealand, Diabetes New Zealand, Hapai Te Hauora, NZ Dental & Oral Health Therapists Association, NZ Branch of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry, NZ Society of Hospital and Community Dentistry, Te Ao Marama, The Heart Foundation, The Public Health Association, The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.

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