Obesity In Australia Persuasive Speech

Good evening, representatives from the health administration, esteemed doctors and many other health organisations. Today I will be revealing to you the single most pressing matter that has slipped under our radars for far too long. I am of course talking about the sugar beverages that I see being constantly in the hands of everyone I see whether it be in the hall while people are having their break or even crossing the street. And while it seems harmless with its small size and innocent packaging, these drinks are the leading cause of Australia's obesity rates increasing, which are only set to grow worse. It seems despite our combined efforts this health is continuing. And why do you think that is? It's because this is not a one-dimensional

As it stands, 64 per cent of Australians are likely to be overweight or obese by 2030. 64% that is no mere fraction that is roughly 2 in 3 people. Look at the people sitting beside you. By 2030, maybe only one of you will not have become obese. And as obesity rate climb so will preventable deaths like the 13,400 projected to occur. Now that is unacceptable to me and shouldn’t be seen as just a fact of life when we have the means to make a change. Some of you might be sceptical that introducing a sugar tax will cause any change, so let explain the gravity of this issue. A Can of coke has about 40 grams of sugar. If we have the same amount of sugar in the Average glass of water, that’s 25 grams of sugar or 6 teaspoons. This is the recommended amount daily!! All in a single glass! I am not saying that we put an end to sugary drinks altogether. However, by introducing a sugar tax, we will encourage the Australians beverage council to reduce the overall levels of sugar in their products and by extension slowly make these products that many of us love less of a risk to our health and

This sort of thinking is quite frankly, foolish and goes to show how little people understand about this initiative. According to AMA (Australian medical association) President Professor Stephen Robson “A tax of 40 cents on every 100g of sugar added to soft drinks would raise the cost of a 375 ml can of soft drink by just 16 cents”. That all, not 1 dollar, not 50 cents not even 20 cents but 16 cents. I understand that the current increase in food prices and cost of living is a genuine concern for many people, but if 16 cents is enough of an increase to prevent saving thousands of lives than how can a real improvement be made. if money is such a concern than don’t by soft drinks, it will save you in the long run when contract obesity and are force to sink hundred if not thousands of dollars into treatment. Then you'll be wishing you had every cent. Furthermore, by implementing this policy, there will be government revenue of $2.8 billion across four years. Imagine how many projects that have been disregarded for being too expensive that can now be authorised because of something as small as 16 cents on the can. That sounds like a fair deal to me because as Danielle McMullen said. “Discussions around tax are always difficult but discussions around health shouldn’t