WHEN MINISTER OF FINANCE Chris Sinckler mentions the word “tax” or “levy”, Barbadians pay attention – and for good reason. In a high-tax jurisdiction like ours the mere mention of these words can provoke major consternation.
We are not sure if when he mentioned just two days ago that Government’s imposition of a ten per cent levy on sweet drinks at the start of 2016 had not realised the rate of collection anticipated many Barbadians would have been concerned, or even delighted.
While the announcement lacked fanfare we believe it was one of those times the word should have provoked major interest among Barbadians.
This country has a serious challenge with obese and overweight citizens and when it is possible to conclude that the imposition has had little to no impact on their sugar consumption habits we should all sit up and take note.
While it may be a totally academic argument at this time, there can be absolutely no doubt that our economic fortunes would be considerably improved if the state did not have to spend the kinds of money it now does to deal with the medical complications from obesity.
If Barbadians are prepared therefore to consume these drinks like they have no negative impact on health, we suggest that the messages that were supposedly designed for education purposes have failed miserably.
We have been told for years about the state of health of our people, occasioned by poor consumption habits juxtaposed against lifestyles that increasingly involve decreasing amounts of physical activity.
In 2014 Pan American Health Organisation adviser on food and nutrition Dr Audrey Morris spoke to a survey conducted in four Caribbean islands on children between 11 and 13 years of age that found 30 per cent were either overweight or obese. While the study did not include Barbados, the researchers found no reason to believe the statistics were any better here.
In fact, in direct response to that research, then Senior Medical Officer of Health Dr Kenneth George said statistics showed the situation was very similar in Barbados. He referred to a 2012 survey that found that 31.9 per cent of students aged 13 to 15 were overweight, and 14.4 per cent obese.
“These are frightening statistics because there is a higher propensity for the obese child to become an obese adult, with all the associated chronic diseases,” he warned.
Another set of researchers have found that since 1981 the number of overweight Barbadians had risen by at least 20 per cent, while readers might recall the howls that ascended after the Economist Pocket World of Figures 2014 placed Barbados at the top of a global list of countries with overweight women. It said 57.2 per cent of Barbadian women could be classified as obese.
Now add to that a report at the start of this year from dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of West Indies Cave Hill Campus, Dr Peter Adams, who reported that about 40 per cent of persons who were overweight or obese did not want to lose weight and were therefore not taking steps to address the possible complications.
And this all leads back to Sinckler’s disclosure about the failure of the sweet drink tax to deter Barbadians from these beverages. This is an issue that cannot be allowed to just die.
There is too much at stake – and with serious implications for every current and potential taxpayer. The diseases that arise from unhealthy living –and there is significant anecdotal evidence to suggest that people who indiscriminately consume these drinks in high volume will also engage in other unhealthy consumption patterns – may maim and kill those who display a propensity for such, but the financial impact on us all can be just as debilitating.
This is a serious matter that requires another look, Minister Sinckler.
