Sugar sweetened beverages, obesity, diabetes and oral health: a preventable crisis.

Introduction Sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a leading risk factor for many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) especially obesity, type II diabetes and tooth decay. Over the past decade, the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) has dramatically increased both globally and in New Zealand and the Pacifi c. Besides having no nutritional value, SSBs displace healthier beverage options. SSBs are cheap, readily available and accessible, and are one of the most widely advertised products, particularly to children, adolescents, and low income groups. It is suggested that the response to SSBs follows that of tobacco and alcohol where legislation and regulation are essential components of policies to curb their use. A tax of 50% on SSBs, advertising restrictions, sponsorship bans, restrictions of sale, and the formation of a agency to promote health, modelled on SmokeFree New Zealand are some of the policy options required in order to address the tsunami of SSB-related diseases are overwhelming the health system.