Madam, - We wish to express our concern regarding the recent announcement by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, that it is considering imposing a levy on chewing gum.
Chewing gum is a major litter problem on our pavements and public places and its removal is a costly exercise. However, a tax is not the best way to address this problem. It will not change people's behaviour.
There is growing evidence that chewing sugarless gum benefits oral health. For example, it increases the flow of saliva, which leads to a reduction in dental decay. It is also beneficial in reducing the discomfort caused by dry mouth, often experienced by people who are on medication for various reasons. These benefits will be compromised by any strategy likely to reduce the use of sugarless gum.
Thinking about the problem of gum litter in a logical way, we should be investing in prevention, not in clean-up. The problem is that some people in Ireland dump their gum (and a lot of other things too) on the streets. Are we going to tolerate this or are we going to enforce our litter laws?
We already have a public policy with a penalty for dropping gum on the streets, but we need to enforce it. Just a few fines or prosecutions and the word will be out that dropping your gum is illegal and unacceptable.
We can educate the public through schools and media campaigns (the chewing gum industry should have an obligation here) and should be engaged in funding the proposed activities directly in collaboration with the local councils.
The proposed levy fails to tackle the main issue which is the irresponsible disposal of gum and other litter on the streets; it accepts that gum is to be dumped on the streets and that we must clean it up. Prevention is better than cure. - Yours, etc.,
Dr HELEN WHELTON
Prof DENIS O'MULLANE,
Oral Health Services
Research Centre,
University Dental School
and Hospital,
Wilton,
Cork.