Oldham doctor issues dire warning ahead of sugar tax repeal

The new Prime Minister’s first move on health – to repeal the sugar tax – shows we have fat chance of improving wellbeing under her regime, a national campaigner from Oldham has warned.

Liz Truss’ proposal is, say commentators, part of a move to eradicate the Nanny State and make people more responsible for their own health.

But with fast food manufacturers unfettered to advertise fast food when they like and sell teeth rotting drinks responsibility-free, Britain’s oral and physical health will be harmed, insists local GP and Oldham councillor Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE.

And with a dearth of dentists and fears that the cost-of-living crisis may lead to actual malnutrition, he is concerned that this is the first in a raft of legislative moves destined to denigrate the NHS and hit the health of the poorest, hardest.

“You would think that coming into office at the tail-end of a pandemic, the Prime Minister would have made our wellbeing the most important priority” said the medic, who delivered the world’s first Covid vaccination clinic for the homeless.

"But no. Instead, she panders to a fast-food industry who have helped create a generation of dangerously overweight children, with already poor access to dental care.

"Plus, she is sending out a signal to manufacturers that the consequences of what you produce are someone else’s problem.”

Some estimates put the number of overweight people in Britain at a staggering 35 million.

According to the Royal Society for Public Health, four in five adults believe that the fast-food industry should stop targeting school children with meal deal offers, two thirds back a ban on the opening of new outlets near schools and a further two thirds think councils should ban junk fodder advertising on council billboards.

Dr Chauhan agreed that since its introduction in 2018, the levy hasn’t led to the kind of reduction in obesity and improvement in dental health hoped for.

But that was because it was largely “toothless” rather than pointless.

He continued: “Legislation really can lead to behavioural change.

"Just look at a pub or an office in the 1970’s to see people inhaling second-hand tobacco smoke.

"Now we are all free of that.

"This is not a matter of “laissez faire” let us leave business alone or allow the people to make their own decisions to encourage individual development, it is a continued lack of compassion for those who are disadvantaged and the ongoing decimation of the NHS in favour of private healthcare, begun by previous administrations.”

Excess sugar has been linked to obesity and an increased risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke and even dementia and cancer.

Salt heightens the risk of heart disease, stroke, brittle bones, and kidney failure.

Drinks with high sugar content coat the teeth and mouth in sugar, eating away at the enamel resulting in tooth decay cavities and dental erosion.

“Councils have made valiant efforts to create health zones around schools where fast food outlets cannot open, brought in bans for so-called energy drinks at schools which damage concentration levels as well as teeth, and clamped down on the irresponsible seller at the planning stage,” added Dr Chauhan.

"But it is not enough.

"What kind of society are we creating when companies can manufacture without responsibility, children are bombarded with unhealthy advertising messages and healthy food is more expensive than junk?

"Please do NOT reverse this levy Prime Minister and while you are about it, pep-up primary care and fund more NHS dentists.

"That would be a better start to your tenure!”

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