DESPITE ITS LAUDABLE goals, some people will still criticise the constant push aimed at making Barbados a healthier nation. Still, others will have their focus aimed at criticising the methods and the messengers in this effort to achieve a necessary objective.
So that suggested sweet drink ban – as proposed by Minister of Labour Senator Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo and indeed many others before her – to halt the sale of these beverages at schools will be attacked by some opponents as a bad idea.
Yet, we must not try to shy away from the reality that we have a crisis as it relates to obesity, heart disease, diabetes and a range of illnesses caused by our unhealthy lifestyles. All the symptoms are evident given the major concerns from noted health experts about the unacceptable numbers affected by non-communicable diseases.
Some people will object to any ban on the grounds that neither the Government, health specialists nor indeed special interest groups should interfere with freedom of choice – even when that choice is continually the wrong one. Others will argue that a ban will have an impact on commerce and industry, especially small businesses which may have been carrying on their trade for many years. The fear of job losses will be raised.
But we have to look at the facts in this debate which can become an emotional one. The cost of health care as a result of the exploding non-communicable diseases affecting so many people across Barbados is continually rising; and too many households are being negatively affected by these diseases.
The message may not be what we want to hear, but we have to change our lifestyles.
Admittedly, “sweet drinks” are but one small component of this serious problem. The entire menus offered at our schools, at the food trucks, many of our restaurants and indeed in our own homes need to be re-examined and changed. The vending machines loaded with unhealthy snacks need to be removed from schools, health facilities and workplaces.
Undoubtedly, healthy food can be costly, indeed prohibitively so, which is why access to low-cost healthy food is so important.
Yes, we need to recognise that at the individual level it is going to be important to get back to what many Barbadians did years ago – backyard gardening. It was often organic and readily supplied a range of fresh, healthy items while allowing for some exercise.
So, in tandem with any planned ban must come meaningful solutions, from growing more of what we eat to emphasising exercise. We must be relentless in attacking the scourge of non-communicable disease.
This is why we stand with Senator Byer-Suckoo, Professor Sir Trevor Hassell and all those who have been warning about the severe national health crisis upon us.
Sometimes a firm and determined stand must be taken in the interest of the majority. This may be the ideal time.
