Watch: Sugar taxes - the case against: ‘Simply slapping on a tax is misguided’

Simply “slapping on” a sugar tax to sugar sweetened beverage tax to tackle obesity, diabetes and improving long-term health outcomes when Asia’s ageing population reaches its senior years is misguided, according to the CEO of the Australian Beverages Council.

Geoff Parker made the case against taxation in a head-to-head debate with health policy consultant Dan Hunt at our recent Healthy Ageing APAC Summit in Singapore.

We caught up with Parker after he stepped off stage to get his key takeaways on camera.

In the video he discusses we focusing on one “small element” of the diet, such as sugar, is misguided when it comes to improving public health outcomes.

He claims that this backed up by evidence from nation’s that have implemented such taxes, and argues that consumer education and “portfolio innovation” from beverage companies is a far more effective solution.

While acknowledging that industry was slow to reformulate and innovate in some markets, he claims that that are far more effective ways to raise funding to tackle issues such as obesity and diabetes.

Check out the video for more and see Dan's case in favour of taxation here.