At least two countries in the region are taking proactive measure to cut down on the consumption of sugary drinks to improve the health of citizenry, in particular children.
A ban of the sale of soft drinks and other sugary drinks at all schools in Trinidad will take effect tomorrow 1st April. Barbados’s Health Minister has announced that the country might follow suit. So is there merit in St Lucia considering or implementing such a policy? Dr Stephen King says it is clear that action needs to be taken to address the consumption of sugary drinks and resulting health complications. However, he is not so sure that a ban on sugary drinks is the way to go. He advocates a health tax on sugary drinks. He believes this is the better option because while the price hike will limit excess to these drinks, the revenue generated can also be used to support the health sector and do intervention activities that need funding.