Perth, Australia (CU)_ Australian Dental professionals applauded the Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) request for a sugary drink levy in order to protect millions of Australians’ dental health and overall welfare. Sugar-sweetened beverages are taxed in around 40 countries and eight US jurisdictions. Many countries are also using a tiered tax system, in which varying tax rates are applied depending on the amount of sugar in the product. Countries including UK, India, Malaysia, Ireland, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Seychelles, Tonga, Samoa, Mauritius, Fiji, etc., have all implemented sugar tax on SSBs.
Dr Kathleen Matthews, Australian Dental Association New South Wales (ADA NSW) president spoke about oral health and its causes and consequences. He said…