Would you support health warnings on fizzy drinks?

[thankGodTheSunIsFinallyOut]

In the news recently discussion of health warnings for fizzy drinks?

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2316123/Fizzy-drinks-carry-cigarette-style-health-warnings-say-experts.html

www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Health/article1251903.ece

Are you in favour?

[thankGodTheSunIsFinallyOut]

I would be for these reasons:

• it would create a social stigma similar to that of cigarrette smoke. Perhaps people would hesitate in or stop buying these products for children, much in the same way many people have stopped smoking around children. The onus would be on justifying why you do drink them/serve them/stock them rather than having to justify why you do not.
  

• it would allow people who may be unaware of the health risks of these products to make an informed consumption choice. This may even be relevant for children spending pocket money or being given the drinks by parents as well as those who don't follow news.
  

• it would encourage people to quit drinking them. I knew many people at work who kept considering quitting fizzy drinks who I think would make a stronger effort if there was an open acknowledgement that these products were undesirable.
  

• marketing limitations? Like cigarrettes, these drinks have enjoyed undeserved marketing associations of being a reward/treat, a bit of fun, part of happiness and celebration. With a health warning I imagine that there would be increased pressure to market these products less enthusiastically?
  

Anyway seems like it has been an 'elephant in the room' for many years now (most people knowing the drinks are bad for you but wanting to pretend they are not) so pleased to see more prominent discussion of the topic.

[topsi]

yes

[alienbanana]

No. Because plenty of people drink normal amounts of fizzy drinks and don't have health issues.

[thankGodTheSunIsFinallyOut]

It is not a complete ban. It is a reminder that what you drinking is not in any way good for you. I would have thought that adults who are only drinking one or two glasses a week would find the warnings acceptable, as they are already regulating the amount of it they drink?

[lougle]

Will you support health warnings on the side of Innocent Fruit Smoothies, also? Because they contain more sugar than fizzy drinks.

[alienbanana]

Cigarettes are different, they will kill you. Anything to encourage people to give them up is a good thing.

But a warning on a side of coke? No. perhaps clearer labelling indicating the amount of sugar would be a good thing though.

[CountryBelle]

Yes I would support that

Also on alcoholic drinks!! (Particularly so, in fact!)

[Startail]

Fuck off nanny state.

I'm already totally pissed off that they have ruined lemon Fanta putting artificial sweeteners in it. Lets not have any more no gooding stupidity.

Of course leaded Coke is empty sugary calories, That's the point, it's an occasional pick me up on a busy day.

It's less calories than most biscuits and I never stop at one biscuit. Biscuits also contain fat.

If you put a health warning in fizz you need to put it on biscuits, grape juice (far more sugar than coke), bacon fatty and possibly carcinogenic. Toast is also carcinogenic.

It just gets stupid.

[SwishSwoshSwoosh]

Yes, factual information should be available. I am in favour of much clearer food labelling generally.

[alienbanana]

Yes, are they going to start putting warnings on packets of sweets, or chocolate bars, or cake?

Doubt it.

I'd support it on alcoholic drinks though. Actually, much clearer labelling on alcohol to indicate calorific content should be compulsory. Very few people realise quite how many calories are in a pint of beer.

[SwishSwoshSwoosh]

I think more info on all processed food would be good. Many, many people find it hard to read the nutritional info or more importantly how to interpret it.

The manufacturers of unhealthy food are opposed of course.