Health Minister Wants Sodas Banned in Schools
Health minister Dr Christopher Tufton recently shared his desire to see a ban on sodas implemented in schools across Jamaica.
While speaking recently at the launch of the National Dental Sealant Programme, at the Clan Carthy Primary School in Kingston, he reportedly stated:
“I am all for restricting some of these products that are available in the school system. This is my personal view. We are going to be radical about it and I am going to be very vocal. I have not got the absolute permission from Cabinet and the prime minister, who is the executive arm of Government, but I am going to put it forward”.
He also stated:
“Barbados has a sugar tax that they apply to the sugar content in sugary products, and if you look elsewhere, the WHO (World Health Organization), for example, it is now a trend. When we look at the health status of our population and the causes of some of those lifestyle diseases, I believe over excess of sugar will lead to consequences which make it no different from what tobacco is causing on our nation and what it used to be 20 years ago before legislation.”
Earlier this year, Trinidad and Tobago’s health ministry announced that the sale of sugar sweetened drinks at all Government and Government-assisted schools would be prohibited as of April 2017.
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