The provincial government has announced a new campaign encouraging people to “Rethink Your Drink.”
The Rethink Your Drink campaign encourages residents to make healthier beverage choices and to think more carefully about what they’re putting into their bodies.
Government says excess consumption of such drinks contributes to things such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor dental health.
The announcement comes just weeks before government’s controversial sugar tax comes into effect on September 1.
At the NL Sports Centre Finance Minister Siobhan Coady announces the "Rethink your Drink" campaign encouraging healthy beverage choices. Sugar tax comes into effect Sept. 1st @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/RLDJRsdfUv
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) August 11, 2022
That tax will see an increase in price of 20 cents per litre on sugar-sweetened beverages.
Finance Minister Siobhan Coady says that the program is the first of its kind in Canada, and it aligns with recommendations from the World Health Organization, Canadian Healthy Eating Strategy, Canada’s Food Guide, and the position statement from the Canadian Paediatric Society. She notes numerous organizations that have come out in support of the program.
Funds from the tax will go toward government’s pre-natal infant nutrition supplement, the physical activity tax credit, and school breakfast and lunch programs.
Celina Stoyles Executive Director of the Kids Eat Smart Foundation stresses importance of educating children and getting them to think about their drinks @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/DJguLwzqSi
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) August 11, 2022
