Download new zealand needs a sugar tax to protect us from christmas excesses

GOVERNMENT ECONOMICS NETWORK AND CHAIR IN PUBLIC FINANCE PRESENT:
NEW ZEALAND NEEDS A SUGAR TAX TO PROTECT US FROM
CHRISTMAS EXCESSES
The Chair in Public Finance and the Government Economics Network have the pleasure of
hosting a light-hearted Christmas debate and networking event.
Waistlines often expand around the Christmas season. This may reflect the appearance of
candy canes, eggnog lattes, and other edible Christmas goodies. Could a sugar tax save us
from these sugar-laden treats? The UK introduced a tax on sugary drinks in its 2016 Budget
and other countries seems to be lining up. But will it deal with the alleged obesity problem
among children and adults? What about other good or bad side-effects of a sugar tax? Is
regulation a better way to go? Or should government simply leave our Christmas treats alone?
FOR: Sarah Hogan*
Senior Policy Analyst Economics
Ministry of Health
AGAINST: Jenesa Jeram*
Policy Analyst
New Zealand Initiative
Commentated by John Creedy, Principal Advisor, Treasury & Professor of Public Finance,
Victoria Business School
The structure for each debate will remain the same as in previous years – 15 minutes from
each speaker, and 10 minutes from the commentator, followed by Q & A and a show of
hands to decide the winner.
Date: 15th December 2016
Time: 4.00-5.00pm followed by refreshments
Venue: Ground floor, MBIE, 15 Stout Street,
RSVP by 9th December to [email protected] or on 04 463 9656
For further information on other debates in this series, see www.victoria.ac.nz/cpf/events
* Speakers have been allocated to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ by the debate organisers. The views and
arguments they express therefore do not necessarily reflect their personal views. Nor do they reflect
the official policy or position of their employers.