Stakeholders in the health sector are calling on government to impose a tax on sugary drinks, as part of measures to tackle what they call the obesity epidemic in Jamaica.
In an open letter to the government the stakeholders say introducing the tax on sugary drinks would help reduce the unnecessary burden of health care and lifestyle costs associated with obesity and related non communicable diseases, and their deadly toll on the population.
The groups in support of tax imposition are the Association of Consultant Physicians of Jamaica, Association of General Practitioners of Jamaica, Caribbean College of Family Physicians Jamaica Chapter, Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Jamaica Association of Professionals in Nutrition and Dietetics, Jamaica Cancer Society, Jamaica Dental Association, Medical Association of Jamaica, and Nurses Association of Jamaica.
They point out that excess sugar consumption, particularly in liquid, form is a major cause of obesity.
These findings have led to experts, including the World Health Organsation, recommending a sugary drinks tax of at least 20 percent.
Such a tax would increase public awareness of harms of sugary drinks and incentivize the beverage industry to reformulate their products and market healthier beverages.
The stakeholders cited 4 main reasons for the call for a tax on sugary drinks.
They pointed to studies that show an increase in obesity in children and adults, with about 51 point 7 percent of Jamaicans being overweight.
They say excess sugar intake causes increased risk of diabetes, liver and kidney damage, heart disease, as well as nutrition related cancers, and that over 75 % of Jamaican adults consume one or more sugar sweetened beverage, per day.
Another rationale is that the tax is a proven fiscal measure that decreases consumption of sugar drinks, increases consumption of water, and improves health, with examples of this measure being implemented in Mexico, Barbados, Dominica and Bermuda.
Further, the groups say majority of Jamaicans support the tax on sugary drinks, as indicated in a recent survey, in which 78 percent of the respondents supported the tax, if the revenue is used for health promotion.
The 9 stakeholders want government to move forward with a policy that supports the health of the Jamaican population, and questioned if Jamaica can afford the health and economic costs of inaction.