IT is sad to see advertisements for soft drinks on TV channels. Drinking sugary water or more commonly known as carbonated soft drinks is bad for health.

A simple Google search on this subject reveals many scientific facts in this context. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health website quotes a number of studies which show the adverse effects on health in the shape of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart attacks and gout in females.

A leading Harvard professor of nutrition says there is sufficient evidence that reducing the intake of sugary drinks will reduce obesity and obesity-related diseases.

What are we doing about this menace in Pakistan? To start with, why isn’t the federal government controlling these advertisements which influence, in particular, our children and younger people to consume more of these drinks?

If we cannot stop their production and sales completely, why can’t we tax them more? Why can’t our provincial governments, which are responsible for health-related issues, levy a health tax on these products and use the income generated to improve health services?

Why can’t organisations such as the Pakistan Medical Association or other similar ones discourage the use of these products? Why don’t our doctors tell their patients to stay away from these drinks?

We need to learn from Mexico, which has banned sugary drinks and junk food advertising on TV. Various other countries like the UK do not allow these advertisements during children or family programmes. Pakistan needs to start somewhere before it is too late.

A.Saad

Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2016