Sir, – Patrick Rigney (March 19th) argues in relation to the proposed sugar tax that healthy eating should be a matter of personal responsibility. This idea appeals to a conception of individual decision-making that ignores the fact that the decisions people make in their lifestyles are not their undiluted responsibility, but are made in the context of all kinds of external pressures. Peer pressure and cultural norms are significant contributors to many lifestyle decisions; businesses also influence consumers through advertising, sponsorship and even ways as minor as the way shelves are stacked in supermarkets, with cheaper products lower down than more expensive ones.
The Government is not telling people they cannot consume soft drinks. All it is proposing to do is drop one more factor into the vast array of forces that already influence our decisions, with the ultimate choice remaining with the individual. When the factor in question is evidence-based and designed to improve health and wellbeing, I do not see why such a factor should not be included. – Yours, etc,
OSAL KELLY,
Delgany,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – Patrick Rigney rightly suggests mandatory lessons in home economics in primary schools. This should also be extended to each year at secondary schools for both male and female pupils. Each day I pass secondary school pupils lunching on large baguettes, crisps, fizzy drinks, chocolate bars, etc, so fizzy drinks alone are not the issue in our obesity problem.
A more sustainable system would be the introduction of EU legislation to restrict the maximum amount of sugar food companies may add to certain foods, and legislation to ban sugar in foods such as breads and other staples where it is not required. – Yours, etc,
ELEANOR DEVITT,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.