Call by South African Parliament for Written Submissions on the Taxation of Sugar Sweetened Beverages #sugar #obesity The Standing Committee on Finance and Portfolio Committee on Health invite stakeholders and interested parties to submit written submissions on the Taxation of Sugar Sweetened Beverages. The Minister of Finance announced in the February 2016 Budget a decision to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) with effect from 1 April 2017 to help reduce excessive sugar intake. This announcement came against the backdrop of a growing global concern regarding obesity stemming from the overconsumption of sugar. Obesity is a global epidemic and a major risk factor linked to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancers. NCDs are the leading causes of mortality globally, resulting in more deaths than all other causes combined, and the world’s low and middle-income populations are the most affected. The problem of obesity has grown over the past 30 years in South Africa resulting in the country being ranked the most obese country in sub-Saharan Africa. Public hearings will be conducted at Parliament on Tuesday, 31 January 2017. Submissions and any interest in making oral presentation must be received by no later than 12:00 on Friday, 27 January 2017. Submissions must be directed to the Committee Secretary, Mr Allen Wicomb, 3rd Floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town, 8000 or awicomb@parliament.gov.za tel. (021) 403-3759 or fax: (021) 403-3942. Issued by Hon. YI Carrim, MP, Chairperson: Standing Committee on Finance (National Assembly). See http://ift.tt/2hNeo0j
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