Group wants 20 per cent tax on sweetened drinks

Governments across the region are being urged to impose at least 20 per cent tax on all sugar-sweetened beverages as part of a move to reduce childhood obesity.

The latest push is coming from the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), which on Monday launched its 'Too Much Junk' online petition in Jamaica.

The petition is part of a regional campaign aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles among children. It calls on CARICOM heads of government to help reduce childhood obesity by enacting several policies and legislation.

These include imposing of a tax of not less than 20 per cent of sugar-sweetened beverages; banning the sale, promotion and marketing of sugar-sweetened beverages and unhealthy fast food in schools; and adopting and applying regional standards for nutritional and front-of-package labelling of foods and beverages.

"One in every three children in this region is overweight and obese and at risk for diabetes, cancer, heart disease and hypertension. That's a real sad story for people who we say are the future of this region," Francine Charles, communications and advocacy officer for the HCC, said.