A Sugar Tax is Not the Answer

As high obesity rates continue to be a health concern for Canadians, there is growing interest in introducing a sugar sweetened beverage tax. While some believe a pop tax would act as a deterrent, similar to taxing tobacco, experts say that people of lower socioeconomic status would not benefit. Natalie Riediger, a professor of Health Sciences and Human Nutrition at the University of manitoba, says that regulating advertising and improving access to healthy foods are more beneficial solutions. Ultimately, she says that raising people out of poverty should be the long term goal to improve nutrition and reduce obesity.