Heavily tax unhealthy foods, says Sir Henry

A CALL is being made to heavily tax unhealthy food items, while at the same time removing taxes placed on healthy options, all with the view of tackling the growing problem of obesity in Barbados.

 

The call was made by Professor Sir Henry Fraser, who says this heavy-handed approach must be felt by the consumer by as much as 30 per cent, to serve as a deterrent and encourage healthier eating habits. His comments came as he highlighted that a whopping $8 million is spent annually by the QEH on 200 patients with kidney failure as a result of diabetes with a combination of high blood pressure. This, he said, equates to 6 000 patients who are non-dialysed.

 

While delivering a comprehensive lecture on Tuesday night hosted by the Faculty of Medical Sciences on some of the past, present and future considerations of health care in Barbados, he opined: “Significant taxes on alcohol and cigarettes have a significant impact on use. And could be further increased and has now been shown for sugary drinks. But not a tiny token ten per cent tax. This has failed because it is hardly noticed. Barbadians are accustomed to these kinds of increases. It has to be at least 30 per cent or more.

 

“It must be significant to make a difference. Taxes on unhealthy foods and sugary drinks, oily, salty foods, fast foods like French fries and no VAT on healthy foods. This is a no-brainer. And of course, we must control the junk food sold at school gates.”

 

He also suggested that the advertisement of fast food inside schools should be abolished, describing it as inappropriate and “totally unethical”.

 

Senator Fraser’s comments came as he pointed to the economic drain being felt by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s budget, which has to shell out millions to manage obesity and chronic diseases.

 

This he lamented, as persons are knowingly eating themselves to death. “Two-thirds of our ladies are overweight or obese and more than one-third are obese and that number of the obese is creeping up over one-third, it is closer to 40 per cent. One-third of men are overweight or obese, because men remain active and slim far longer than women who are fatter at a younger and younger age.”

 

He noted that research has shown that young ladies around the age of 14, more or less, stop physical exercise while at school.

 

“Twenty per cent of all adults have high blood pressure and half of those over 45, and by age 60 it’s 60 per cent. And 1 in 5 adults over 45 have diabetes, all heading for strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure. All frightening and so is the cost. These communicable diseases and their complications account for two-thirds of the QEH budget and two-thirds of the Drug Service budget.

 

“The economic cost is huge not just country, but families. Some cannot cope. Families fall apart. These victims of their complications end up in very difficult situations and families often fight as to who is to provide the care,” he noted.

 

He stressed that Barbados must strive for health, for as many as possible through prevention, highlighting the need for partnerships to address this problem.

 

Professor Fraser reminded that key factors for good health are regular physical activity, healthy eating, avoidance of smoking and alcohol abuse and stress. (JH)