Sir, – Apparently our Minister for Health wants to introduce a tax on sugar, as a way of combating obesity – particularly in children (Home News, March 20th).
Surely a good advertising campaign, educating people as to the negative effects of sugar in children’s diets, would be more effective?
I find it shocking to see the food people are giving to young children.
I have observed people giving salty processed snacks and sugary sweets to very young children, obviously unaware that sugar destroys their teeth, it is (bad) habit forming and sweets have little or no nutritional value. Last but not least the sweets will sate the child’s appetite, so that he or she will not be hungry for a proper meal later at home.
I have never had a problem with my weight and I put this down to good habits (formed in childhood) where sweets, chocolate, etc, were rare treats, and soft drinks were only a Sunday treat. Please Dr Reilly, let’s have an education campaign? – Yours, etc,
GABRIELLE HYLAND,
Glenoughty Close,
Letterkenny, Co Donegal.