Readers’ reactions – Sugary drinks still flowing

Schools and public health facilities are failing to observe the phased sugary drinks ban introduced by the Government just over three years ago, largely designed to improve the health of the nation’s children and address Jamaica’s struggle with non-communicable diseases. Here are some readers’ reactions from The Gleaner’s social media pages .

“Sugar is addictive. Quitting cold turkey is not easy. It all started at home, ‘Mama seh it’s fine, it nuh duh har nutting.’ It’s cheap, refreshing and fills the belly. They will have to be weaned off it. Keep the info flowing, and don’t forget that bottled water is more expensive.”

– @4ed600cff5da438

“The Government allows the importation of many types and brands of ‘unhealthy’, sugary drinks, candy, and foods, including ice creams. Stop! These things are manufactured in Jamaica; regulate the sugar content in local products; stop the importation of ‘junk’ food.”

– @JAMAICANFREDDIE

“Look from when that, and the sugary drinks are still in the market.”

– @downertricia1

“The Gov’t needs to be thinking about garbage collection and crime, and stop thinking about sugary drinks. Even though it’s a problem, it’s one of the smaller ones. A dat we say.”

– @LordHighTheDadz

“You’d also be surprised that scandal/lada bags are still around, too. #lawlessja.”

– @Echelon45

“It is likely that many of the students don’t want no green juice to drink. Them want the sweetness to excite them taste buds. So even if schools restrict access, these kids will find ways to bring the contraband drinks in. Focus on demand reduction as well, not only supply side.”

– @Zemi66

“Government need fi BACK UP!”

– @RicardoVernon6

“What exactly does these school administrators want clarity on? There are many schools who have adapted to the ban and have put the measures in place.”

– Jo C. Coole

“Cutting it out at school, and it pack up in them fridge and pantry at home.”

– Zella Sucra

“It costs to eat and drink healthily. Since the Government cares so much, they should have made the healthy ones cheaper.”

– Lisa Da Petite Holness

“Think about making it easier for people to afford eating healthily. Giving people basket to carry water. Prices [are] raise[d] every day in this country. Some students cannot even purchase the $60 sodas in these canteens that are charging almost triple the $60 cost!”

– Aliechia McKenly

“We have a sugar culture; it’s not now this has been going on ;look around Jamaica. Everything is sugar, and its cheap; only when the doctor say eat healthily we do look at the average diet of Jamaican starch and protein. Hardly any fruits and nuts or vegetables. I think we need to re-educate ourselves on how to eat healthily. Remember, we don’t need this amount of sugar in our diet.”

– Mark Russell

“The vendors are selling everything else except sugary drinks to students. The company that distributes the drinks should be targeted, not the school. Have you checked the sugar content since the ban?”

– Yvonne P–owell-Panther

The sad reality is that for most people it is a matter of economics, as the sugary ones are far less expensive than the natural and healthier ones. We have to make the healthy drinks affordable in order to win this ‘health war’.” – Audley Phillip

– Compiled by Khanique McDaniel