Sugar tax and a warning!

SAPIENS WRITES:

Last week we had Diabetes Awareness Day. 90 000 Namibians suffer from diabetes! (A massive, slow epidemic). Sugar comfort addiction is a legacy of Afro-American slavery.

It is the number-one addiction in the world. It is an appetite stimulant, causing hunger. You need a “sugar” recharge every three hours.

Sugar-spiked sodas and salty chips result in hunger, thirst, and obesity. This is the formula or recipe for junk, fast, fake food, and commercial turnover.

You become obese, slow down, and develop hypertension and diabetes. Your productive energy is lost. Your medical, dental, and pharmaceutical costs soar due to target organ damage.

Diabetes and obesity are reversible, with a low carbohydrate, high healthy fat (appetite suppressant) with dense energy, diet. Diabetes is triggered 90% by sugar addiction (suikersiekte).

The authorities don’t link sugar and diabetes! Smoking and alcohol are taxed (disincentive/damage control) with graphic warnings! Sugar has no warning label or even VAT (15%). People are encouraged to eat or drink sugar, like in a circus.

When the ex-minister of finance introduced 15% VAT on sugar in his last budget, this was reversed by the cabinet! I was told by the “Ministry of Votes” that if we tax sugar, we may lose votes.

Ignorance, poverty, and disease in 1990 were recognized by the founding father as the challenges of real independence. Health is a long-term issue. It affects the next generation. A vote is a four-year cycle based on promises, power, and Vision 2023. You cannot eat votes. Warn and tax sugar to control the massive damage of “suikersiekte”. Namibia imports sugar from South Africa in thousands of tons, to its own detriment and health demise!

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