Majority of Germans do not want sugar tax

Can the increase in the sugar tax help to cope with the growing preponderance of the population? Most people do not seem to care too much about the idea presented by the SPD a few days ago. As a recent study of DAK health shows, e.g. the "traffic light marking" is a suitable measure for many respondents.

In 2013, there were more than 18,000 patients nationwide for obesity in hospitals
Every second German weighs too many kilograms. Accordingly, experts are always developing new measures to fight against the rising weight. As reported by DAK Health, in 2013, more than 18,000 patients were treated in hospitals for obesity or overeating. This represents an increase of 154 percent compared to 2005.

To respond to this development, presented the SPD politician Elvira Drobinski-white a few days ago, the idea for a national strategy that should lead to a reduction in the salt, sugar and fat content in processed foods. One point is the increase of the so-called "sugar tax" to the regular 19%, because up to now sweets and beverages have been subject to a reduced VAT rate of seven percent.

Measure finds little agreement in the population
But the demand of the SPD appears in the population apparently only little agreement. This is the result of a recent and representative Forsa survey commissioned by the health insurance DAK-Gesundheit. According to this, only 30 percent of the respondents would support the considerations, while 68 percent reject them.

At the same time, 76% of respondents in Bavaria argued that the largest share was against the "sugar tax", and that the age group of 30- to 44-year-olds was "particularly critical" towards the measure, according to the DAK. Among the over-60s, however, were the most advocates, according to the survey published on Wednesday.

85 percent consider traffic light labeling a sensible measure
Alternatively, however, according to the DAK study, 85 percent of respondents would consider the so-called "traffic light labeling" as a suitable measure against the growing overweight in the population. This is a labeling on food packaging, which easily understands the content of health-related nutrients such. Fat, sugar and salt signals. In addition, according to the DAK, 65 percent of respondents favored an advertising ban on "children's foods", which are addressed to the young consumer through their eye-catching design (such as cartoon characters) or small gifts (such as stickers or playing pieces).

Sugar tax would be an indirect punishment and unfair
"When it comes to overweight and obesity, we rely on education," explains DAK-Health's CEO, Herbert Rebscher. It is about "broad and understandable information" about the health hazards of sugar and to motivate people for a healthy diet. "A sugar tax would be an indirect punishment of the population. In addition, a sugar tax is unfair because it puts a particularly heavy burden on low-income households. Because with increasing income, the proportion of consumer spending decreases, "said the DAK CEO. (No)

Image: Dieter Schütz