With the news that celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is ready "for a fight" with the UK government over reports that plans for a ‘Sugar Tax’ have been shelved, Welsh Conservative AM for South West Wales Dr Altaf Hussain has described calls to introduce the tax – led in Wales by Plaid Cymru - as "hair-brained".
The doctor-turned-politician has also expressed concerns that the tax may impact disproportionately upon some of the most vulnerable families, and describes it as a "regressive tax".
On a visit to ‘Y Bont’ Family Centre in Bridgend, which caters for the needs of children with disabilities and their families, the Regional AM was impressed by visual displays which aim to teach children about healthy diets from a very young age, and says that this approach should be adopted everywhere.
Altaf said: "It boils down to education. It is about ensuring our youngsters pick up good habits from an early age, and are exposed as much as possible to the concept of a healthy and balanced diet. This will lead to a reduction in overall demand for sugary snacks and drinks, meaning less get produced as the market for these products shrinks and eating habits change.
"The amount of sugar we consume as a nation in fact has been falling for a while.
"Attempting to coerce people’s diets through a regressive tax could hit the least well-off the hardest. It may not in fact change peoples’ behaviour when it comes to buying fizzy drinks and sweets.
"Moreover, the effect could be that some groups continue to buy these products and then compensate by buying cheaper, poorer-quality products in other areas of their diet. This could lead to an increased consumption of fast foods and ready meals, which may be perceived as more affordable. As such, there could be further implications for public health not fully considered by those who would advocate a ‘sugar tax’.
"This really is a hair-brained idea and seems to be more about the public profile of Mr Oliver than about changing our dietary habits for the long-term. This is best achieved through education and awareness."