In a recent article in the magazine web.de Prof. Dr. Anette BuykenProfessor of Nutritional Science at Paderborn University, analyses the discussion surrounding a possible levy on sugary drinks. The background to this is a new initiative by Schleswig-Holstein's Minister President Daniel Günther in the Bundesrat. In the article, Buyken explains that sugary drinks are particularly harmful to health, as they hardly fill you up and increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes - especially among young people.
The expert emphasises that a tax alone will not solve all the problems. She is in favour of a policy that combines various measures such as advertising bans and labelling requirements. According to Buyken, we are often not completely free to make our own food choices, as the products on offer in everyday life favour unhealthy products. Political rules could help to make it easier to make healthier elections in the supermarket or at the railway station.
The following link will take you directly to the full article: Sugar lobby against health reform: Why the soda tax is stalling in Germany.
