The government must impose 20 percent taxation on all sugary drinks.
That’s according to professor of public health nutrition at the University of Technology (UTECH) Fitzroy Henry, in wake of increased cases of obesity among the country’s population, including children.
He says taxation, in addition to public education, better marketing strategies and labelling of products, can help Jamaicans lead a healthy lifestyle.
Professor Henry says other Caribbean countries including Barbados and St. Kitts have taken the step.
He adds that since the imposition of a 10 per cent tax in Barbados, sugary drink consumption has been reduced by over 4 per cent.
He was speaking at the 4th phase of the Heart Foundation’s “Are we drinking ourselves sick” campaign launch in Kingston, this afternoon.