Soft drink industry hits back over obesity link

The beverage industry believes it is being unfairly targeted in the fight against obesity in Tasmania.

The state's Director of Public Health has called for a ban on soft drinks in schools, after a new report showed one in three Tasmanian children are considered obese or overweight.

The Australian Beverages Council chief executive, Geoff Parker, says the industry is against a blanket ban.

Mr Parker says low kilojoule options and drinking soft drink in moderation are important.

"We think soft drinks are being unfairly targetted," he said.

"There is a broad range of taste and kilojoule options out there for people to choose, do some of them contain sugar? Absolutely.

"But there is a large and growing number of low and no kilojoule options out there."

Parents says a ban on soft drinks would be difficult to implement and the focus should be on education.

Jenny Eddington from the State Schools Parents and Friends groups says most schools do not sell soft drinks.

"Really the issue is more the availability of soft drinks around the school precinct, so if the school isn't selling them students will often buy them from the local shop and take them to school anyway."

The issue has prompted a call from the Heart Foundation for a new tax on soft drinks high in sugar.

Tasmanian president Graeme Lynch says he is alarmed by the statistics.

"We're urging state and federal governments to have a seriously good look at introducing a taxation regime on sugar sweetened beverages which are just empty calories and to also run national campaigns around the dangers particularly for young children who are consuming these beverages."

Source: ABC News, 31 May 2013