Tax sugary soft drinks, urges Canadian Diabetes Association

Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, Pepsi – we all know and love these soft drinks, but what are they doing to our health? The Canadian Diabetes Association thinks they’re so bad they should have an extra tax slapped on them.

A single serving of a fizzy drink can contain up to 10 teaspoons of sugar, so the CDA wants the Canadian government to follow countries like Mexico and France and apply the additional tax.

“We know that diabetes will cost our health-care system and economy $14 billion in 2015, and $17.5 billion annually by 2025,” said Dr. Jan Hux, chief science officer at the CDA in a release.

“Canadians can’t wait any longer. Unless we take action now, diabetes threatens not only more Canadians, but also the viability of our health-care system and our economic prosperity.”

More than 10 million Canadians currently have diabetes and the disease is responsible for 30 per cent of all strokes, 40 per cent of heart attacks, 50 per cent of kidney failure requiring dialysis and 70 per cent of non-traumatic lower limb amputations.

The association is also calling on the federal government – and all federal leaders with the election around the corner – to consider establishing a national Pharmacare program to increase accessibility for diabetes medication and supplies.

“We encourage Canadians to ask their federal candidates to commit to support a healthier Canada,” said Hux.