Crazy soft drink tax won't fix obesity problem

Heather Roy Wednesday, 10 August 2005

Health

The Green Party's crazy plan to put a tax on soft drinks is totally outrageous and won't stem the growing tide of child obesity, ACT Health spokesman Heather Roy said today.

"The fact is that a sedentary lifestyle is the biggest contributor to child obesity. Children will get fat if they spend all their time sitting or lying around doing nothing more than watching TV or playing video games.

"Instead of slamming a tax on fizzy drinks, which would hit low income families the hardest, the most effective way to minimise childhood obesity is for parents to take responsibility for their children's lifestyle.

"Walking children to school and encouraging them to spend less time watching TV or on the computer would go a long way to reducing the risk of children getting fat.

"The Greens are dreaming if they really think a tax on soft drinks is going to stop children drinking them," Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

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