Module six, spotlight on exams, page 118.0:01
Today on HealthWatch, we're going to talk about a controversial new measure to fight obesity and diabetes that's being considered by a number of governments around the world, the soda tax.0:08
Here to talk with us is Dr. Jessica Smith.0:19
I'm happy to be here.0:23
Dr. Smith, first of all, of all the things that are unhealthy, why is everybody focused on sodas?0:25
Are they really so bad?0:31
Sodas are very bad for our health and most people don't realize this.0:34
First of all, did you know that a soda can have the equivalent of nine teaspoons of sugar in it?0:39
That's a huge quantity of sugar.0:46
Of course, the sugar means calories, which add up to higher likelihood of obesity.0:49
But a calorie is calorie, isn't it?0:55
I mean, why single out sodas?0:57
People need to eat fewer calories in general.0:59
Less chocolate, less ice cream, less soda.1:02
Isn't it all the same?1:04
First of all, the calories that come from sodas are empty calories.1:06
This means that they have no vitamins, minerals or other important nutrients like protein.1:10
On top of this, soda is a drink that isn't as filling as solid food.1:17
So they don't make people feel full.1:21
In fact, research found that people ate more calories on days when they drank sodas.1:24
In other words, the soda actually made them feel hungrier.1:31
Ok, you've convinced me.1:35
Sodas are clearly unhealthy.1:37
But would a soda tax do any good?1:39
Well, people don't really agree about this.1:42
Those who are in favour of this tax, myself included, believe that it will help.1:45
Generally, when the price of something rises, people buy less of it and choose other alternatives more often.1:51
But what will they choose instead?1:58
Orange juice is full of sugar, too.2:00
Even if people choose other sweet drinks, such as orange juice or chocolate milk, this will still be an improvement because these drinks at least contain some nutrients, like calcium or vitamin C. Sodas are completely empty calories.2:03
Remember, they're nothing but sugar.2:20
How do people feel about soda loss?2:23
Does the general population support the idea this has actually been a problem?2:25
While health experts and policymakers think the tax makes a lot of sense, citizens don't really like the idea.2:31
They feel the government shouldn't try to tell them what they can or cannot drink.2:40
People also feel uncomfortable because this tax seems to target poor people.2:45
They're the ones who drink the most soda, so they're the ones who would have to pay the most taxes.2:51
Yes, but look at it another way.2:59
The poor are the ones who suffer the highest rates of obesity and diabetes also.3:01
And so they're the ones who would have the most health benefits.3:07
Besides, sodas are heavily advertised.3:11
We could say it's wrong to advertise and promote something that harms people.3:15
Yes, you've got a point there.3:20
Is there any proof that a soda tax can work?3:22
In Mexico in 2014, they began collecting a soda tax, and there is proof that fewer people bought and drank sodas.3:26
It was a low tax, too, about a 10% rise in price.3:37
That's half the size of the tax that we recommend.3:41
So imagine what a 20% rise in price could achieve.3:45
Thank you, Dr. Smith, you have 30 seconds to complete the task.3:50
Now you will listen to the texts again.4:26
Today on healthwatch, we're going to talk about a controversial new measure to fight obesity and diabetes that's being considered by a number of governments around the world, the soda tax.4:31
Here to talk with us is Dr. Jessica Smith.4:41
I'm happy to be here.4:46
Dr. Smith, first of all, of all the things that are unhealthy, why is everybody focused on sodas?4:48
Are they really so bad?4:53
Sodas are very bad for our health.4:56
And most people don't realize this.4:59
First of all, did you know that a soda can have the equivalent of nine teaspoons of sugar in it?5:02
That's a huge quantity of sugar.5:09
Of course, the sugar means calories, which add up to higher likelihood of obesity.5:12
But a calorie is calorie, isn't it?5:18
I mean, why single out sodas?5:20
People need to eat fewer calories in general.5:22
Less chocolate, less ice cream, less soda.5:24
Isn't it all the same?5:27
First of all, the calories that come from sodas are empty calories.5:29
This means that they have no vitamins, minerals or other important nutrients like protein on top of this.5:33
Soda is a drink that isn't as filling as solid food, so they don't make people feel full.5:40
In fact, research found that people ate more calories on days when they drank sodas.5:47
In other words, the soda actually made them feel hungrier.5:54
Ok, you've convinced me.5:58
Sodas are clearly unhealthy.6:00
But would a soda tax do any good?6:02
Well, people don't really agree about this.6:04
Those who are in favor of this tax, myself included, believe that it will help.6:08
Generally, when the price of something rises, people buy less of it and choose other alternatives more often.6:14
But what will they choose instead?6:21
Orange juice is full of sugar too.6:23
Even if people choose other sweet drinks, such as orange juice or chocolate milk, this will still be an improvement because these drinks at least contain some nutrients, like calcium or vitamin C. Sodas are completely empty calories.6:25
Remember, they're nothing but sugar.6:43
How do people feel about soda loss?6:45
Does the general population support the idea this has actually been a problem?6:48
While health experts and policymakers think the tax makes a lot of sense, citizens don't really like the idea.6:54
They feel the government shouldn't try to tell them what they can or cannot drink.7:02
People also feel uncomfortable because this tax seems to target poor people.7:08
The they're the ones who drink the most soda, so they're the ones who would have to pay the most taxes.7:13
Yes, but look at it another way.7:22
The poor are the ones who suffer the highest rates of obesity and diabetes also.7:24
And so they're the ones who would have the most health benefits.7:30
Besides, sodas are heavily advertised.7:34
We could say it's wrong to advertise and promote something that harms people.7:38
Yes, you've got a point there.7:43
Is there any proof that a soda tax can work?7:45
In Mexico in 2014, they began collecting a soda tax.7:49
And there is proof that fewer people bought and drank sodas.7:55
It was a low tax, too, about a 10% rise in price.7:59
That's half the size of the tax that we recommend.8:04
So imagine what a 20% rise in price could achieve.8:08
Thank you, Dr. Smith.8:13
This is the end of the task.8:15
You now have 30 seconds to check your answers.8:18
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