The new campaign dubbed “Rethink Sugary Drinks” uses images of young people who are seen taking multiple cans of soft or ‘cola’ drinks in red cans and then proceeding to show off smiles that feature rows of decayed and rotten teeth. The campaign which will be restricted to online platforms such as social media and other content sharing websites will involve everyone from ordinary people to medical experts and health/social organizations. The images will only be shared online.
The Australian Cancer Council, Diabetes Australia and the Australian Dental Association (ADA) are among the eight main parties involved in the campaign that aims to achieve the following:
• Promotion and improved access to fluoridated water.• State and local government policies that restrict the availability of soft drinks in healthcare centres, workplaces and other public areas.• Regulation that limits the sale of soft drinks in children’s social and sports functions, government institutions, schools and colleges.• Regulation that limits children’s exposure to soft drinks adverts on TV and other media outlets.• A government-funded campaign that highlights the impact of soft drinks on teeth and overall dental health.• A levy on soft drinks that increases their prices by more than 20%.
The campaign also aims to encourage Australian consumers to consider healthier alternatives to soft drinks when they feel thirsty. On top of the existing 8 organizations involved in the campaign, another 11 social organizations have shown support towards the cause. Private family clinics like Dentist in Perth (https://dentistinperth.com.au/) are also in support of the movement.
Some Call The Campaign ‘Misguided”
Organizations such as the Australian Beverages Council that speaks on behalf of various sugary drinks manufacturers have come out strongly against the campaign terming it as “misguided”. They claim the campaign deems soft drinks as the sole and main cause of tooth decay which is false. The council’s CEO had this to say about the campaign: “The work that these organizations are doing to raise awareness about improving overall health should be acknowledged. However, just focusing on a small and declining part of the diet, and that is sugar in soft drinks, is misguided and is not going to help anyone when it comes to improving overall dental health.”
He went on to add that there was “no evidence” that heavier taxation on soft drinks could help improve overall dental health across the population.
Supporters
On the other hand, dentists in Australia have come out overwhelmingly to support the campaign since it was launched. The Australian Dental Association CEO termed the campaign as necessary and far from misguided. He said that the campaign was keen on targeting soft drinks because their effects on teeth and dental health are “immediate” and severe.
He also added that he hoped that images used in the campaign could resonate with young people who might not take heed of conventional health warnings.
Media ContactCompany Name: Dentist Perth & LeedervilleContact Person: Jane WellsEmail: Send EmailPhone: (08) 9382 8764Country: AustraliaWebsite: dentistinperth.com.au
