Australian Public Shows Strong Support for Measures to Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption to Combat Obesity

Public health experts in Australia are calling on the new Albanese Government to prioritize strategies that address the rising obesity rates linked to sugary and sweetened beverages. A recent comprehensive survey involving over 2,800 adults highlights significant community backing for policies aimed at reducing the intake of these unhealthy drinks.

The survey, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, reveals that a substantial 83% of Australians support clearer labeling on sugary drinks to inform consumers about added sugars. Additionally, 73% endorse restrictions on marketing sugary beverages to children, emphasizing the community’s desire to protect younger populations.

Further, more than half of respondents (56%) favor imposing a health levy tax on sugary drinks, a measure aimed at discouraging consumption while generating revenue for public health initiatives. There is also widespread support for better labeling and marketing restrictions on non-sugar-sweetened drinks, such as "diet" and "zero" soft drinks, and on high-sugar 100% fruit juices.

Professor Caroline Miller, Director of the Health Policy Center at SAHMRI and President of the Public Health Association of Australia, stressed the importance of government action. She pointed out that sugary drinks now surpass tobacco as Australia's leading cause of preventable disease burden, with two-thirds of adults and 25% of children affected by overweight or obesity.

PHAA CEO, Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, echoed this sentiment, urging the government to step up and lead by implementing proven measures. He highlighted the success of anti-smoking policies and called for similar decisive actions, including marketing restrictions, reformulation incentives, and levying unhealthy beverages.

The survey also indicates a need to improve public understanding that non-sugar-sweetened drinks and 100% fruit juices are not healthy alternatives when consumed excessively. While there is support for better labeling on these products, there is less enthusiasm for taxing them, underscoring the importance of education alongside policy measures.

Experts argue that adopting these measures, already advocated within national strategies and inquiries, can significantly influence consumer behavior and health outcomes. Ultimately, these initiatives aim to reduce obesity rates, improve public health, and lessen the burden of preventable disease in Australia.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-aussies-action-sugary-sweetened-tackle.html