Sugar miller: drinks tax won’t affect sugar use
A key player in the Thailand sugar industry predicts that an impending government tax on sweet beverages will not have a big impact on the industry’s hunger for sugar.
A six-level tax structure on sweet drinks will kick in on September 16, but not actually come into force until October 1, 2019.
Thai Sugar Millers Corporation Ltd (TSMC) sees no significant drop in sugar demand, but worries about the message being sent by the tax. The levy might create an incorrect understanding that consumption of sugary drinks is harmful and a cause of diseases, which could lead to inadequate consumption of sugar as a source of energy, the TSMC said in a media release.
“We suggest that, starting today and until the start of the levy in 2019, the government intensify its campaign to educate the public about recommended sugar intake, so that the consumers are correctly informed,” said Siriwut Siembhakdi, president of public relations and recreations
“Without that, we believe the tax measure will prove futile, and sugar intake will not reduce but instead increase further.”
