MISSION
Sugar-free Smiles advocates for public health policies and regulatory initiatives to reduce sugar consumption and improve the oral health of all Australians.
GOALS
- Introduction of a minimum 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
- Ensure that revenue derived from this tax is used to fund health promotion programs, and targeted to health expenditure for oral health, diabetes and obesity.
- Reduce the amount and frequency of marketing and promotion of high sugar food and drink products to children and adults.
- Improve food labeling to allow people to make healthy food choices with respect to sugar.
- Reduce the sugar content of their food and drink products.
- Reduce price promotions and marketing of high sugar food and drink products.
- Reduce sponsorship of sporting and recreational activities by companies promoting high sugar food and drink products, particularly those activities directed at children.
- Raise awareness about the impact of sugar levels in diet, with a focus on oral health.
SUGAR TAX
A sugar-sweetened beverage tax would:
- Reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
- Reduce the incidence and burden of dental disease, overweight and obesity, and subsequent chronic health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.
- Reduced subsequent health costs.
- Provide increased funding for implementation of public health and prevention strategies and management of disease.
- Pressure industry to reduce sugar content in processed foods and beverages
- Raise awareness and education in the community about health affects of sweetened foods and beverages
ORAL HEALTH FACTS
- 1 in 2 children aged 12 years old have tooth decay in their adult teeth
- 10% of 12-year-old children have 5 adult teeth (out of 28) affected by tooth decay
- 55% of children aged 6 years have tooth decay in their baby teeth
- 10% of 6 year old children have 10 baby teeth (out of 20) affected by tooth decay
- 1 in 2 children aged 5 years old have tooth decay in their baby teeth
Tweets from @SugarFreeSmiles
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RT @michaelgoran: Evidence reveals #sugar can be addictive. Experts say moderation is not the best option -- elimination is:… https://t.co/7yjEb4PJR3 -
RT @rosestant70: Let's give it lots of support. A tax on these drinks won't solve all problems but it will send a good message about… https://t.co/JlSbotysA7
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RT @drjamesdinic: Sugar is the new cigarette. https://t.co/OQaeLSZQRl
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RT @BoydSwinburn: If diabetes was an infectious disease, its source (local Coke factory) would be closed down and remedies (better wa… https://t.co/V91uSq3Srz
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RT @michaelgoran: Sugary drinks and especially diet sodas in pregnancy linked to reduced learning ability in young kids - findings fr… https://t.co/qSeDrhLoRG
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