Doctors’ Group Backs ‘Sin Tax’ Proposal on Sodas, Junk Food

The 1,712-member Philippine Heart Association (PHA) lauded on Thursday the plan of the incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to impose additional tax on soft drinks and junk foods.

PHA president Dr. Alex Junia said this development is a “welcome breakthrough” not only in the medical community but also in the education and health sectors.

“Slapping manufacturers of soda, sugared beverages and junk food with ‘sin tax’ and raising the costs of these unhealthy food items will ruin the appetite of junk food and soft drinks addicts and cut their risks in contracting cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), while also boosting government income and financing government health programs,” said Junia during the PHA Health Forum at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

Junia noted that sugared drinks and junk foods are among the main culprits in the increasing cases of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and gall stones.

Incoming President Duterte has announced that imposing “sin taxes” on sodas and junk foods is on his administration’s list of top priority programs.

In fact, incoming Health Secretary Jean Rossel-Ubial earlier expressed support to the tax hike proposal on soda, sugared beverages and junk food.

Meanwhile, incoming Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he would like to enforce tax on junk food.

Dr. Orlando Bugarin, PHA director and Advocacy committee chair, identified several factors that make junk food “irresistible” such as “appetizing color, addicting flavor, and status symbol.” He noted that children are too young to understand the hazards of poor food choices.

“As the cradle of education, both the home and school have to work hand-in-hand in enforcing the principles of healthy eating and living,” said Bugarin.

PHA has been continuously championing its Healthy Lifestyle code named “52-100” to put lifestyle diseases at bay and thwart the fast-growing incidence of CVDs.

Commonly recommended for children and adults alike, “52-100” prescribes 5 servings of vegetables or fruits, less than 2 hours of television or gadget time, 1 hour of physical activity, 0 sugared drinks, and 0 smoking everyday to achieve a healthy body that is resistant to non-communicable and infectious diseases. (PNA) SCS/FMC