Is it possible not to encourage people to make healthy choices?

Answer

Mastering tips on 30/3 soft drinks is not generous, center

Proposal to create incentives for soft drink manufacturers to reduce the amount of sugar in soft drinks through a manufacturer-based payment system.

Excessive amounts of sugar can have negative consequences, but the central party does not want every person to refuse to make their own choices. On the other hand, we want to make it easier and more equitable based on the possibilities of choosing healthy alternatives. Unfortunately, many unhealthy foods are cheaper than healthy alternatives. When it comes to soft drinks, there is clear research that the sugar in them, for example, affects us more negatively than it does in sweets. Research shows that if we eat sweets, we can partially offset the increased calorie intake by eating less. When it comes to liquid calories in sugar-sweetened soft drinks, the body does not respond in the same way, which has bigger and more negative effects than other sugar intake. At the very least, this is evident in children, where liquid sugar has a more devastating effect on health.

Public health deteriorated

Economically, overweight and obesity cost the Swedish community more than SEK 70 billion a year and the prevalence of obesity among 12-year-olds has increased fivefold since the 1990s. Health.

The United Kingdom has introduced a tax on sugary drinks, the main effect of which is that manufacturers have voluntarily reduced the amount of sugar and increased the range of different types of soft drinks and soft drinks. The tax model in the UK is for drinks with a sugar content of more than five per cent. As a result, regular Fonda cans in the UK contain about a third of the sugar in Sweden. Experience in the countries where this type of tax was introduced shows that many consumers are increasingly opting for cheaper drinks, ie sugar-free or less expensive drinks.

As a result, regular Fonda cans in the UK contain about a third as much sugar as in Sweden.

Liberal students believe that it is not up to elected representatives to control the lifestyle of the people through political decisions, and we strongly agree with that. But as politicians, we must dare to look at the growing problem, and then it is our moral duty to come up with solutions that really work, making it easier for people to live healthy lives. This will benefit the individual and the community.

As a member of the Central Party, it may seem strange to be in favor of a particular regulation. However, if we know about the major effects of being overweight and obese in our community and the direct link between sugar drinks and weight – the question is whether it is possible to not encourage people to make healthier choices through financial incentives?

Christine LorneHealth Care Policy Spokesperson Center Party Region Stockholm

Emma Blomdahl WahlbergParliamentary Candidate Center Party Sjuhärad