Would you cut down on sugary drinks if they carried special tax? U of M researcher asks

Think twice before you hit back that cold can of pop.

According to a 2016 report by the World Health Organization, consumption of free sugars, including products such as pop and other sugary drinks, is a major factor inthe global increase of people suffering from obesity and diabetes.

• WHO recommends tax of at least 20% on sugary drinks

The WHO says a 20-per-cent increasein the retail price of sugary drinks would result in a proportional decrease in the amount people consume.

Natalie Riediger, a researcher atthe University of Manitoba, is carrying out a three-year study into the acceptability of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. She is recruitingparticipants in Manitobawho are over 18, speak English and live in River Heights.

"I am just trying to get a diverse range of perspectives so River Heights struck me as very much a middle class to upper class part of the city," Riediger said.

She admits people in River Heights would be considered well educated, well off and likely aware of the consequences of sugary beverages.

"I want to be able to contrast what people in River Heights say compared to what people in the North End say. We will be in the North End as well. We are also doing interviews in Flin Flon right now," Riedigersaid.

Riediger's research goes well beyond the borders of Canada, including India and the state of Michigan in the United States.

Riediger says India's rate of Type 2 diabetes is expected to increase significantly in the future. India, she says, is one of the largest global producers of sugar cane.

And she's interested in finding out whether the water crisis in Flint,Mich., which saw the city's drinking supply contaminated with lead and other pollutants, has led to an increase in the consumption of sugary drinks.

"Are these people drinking more sugary beverages?We are interested in the perceptions of people in Michigan," Riediger said. "I think it's important everybody's voice is heard on this proposed policy because everybody is affected differently by different policies."

Riediger says First Nations communities, where water contamination problems have been around for decades, will also be asked whether sugary drink consumption has increased as a result.

Riediger was a professor in community health sciences at the U of M's medical campus for two years before she started in food and nutritional sciences last summer.

She also had an interest in food from a young age:Her family owned RiedigerGrocery store on IsabelStreet. The store closed down seven years ago.

Riediger, who has a background in public health, has also researched the link between tobacco use and taxation.

Just as taxes on tobacco contributed to a stigma about smoking, she and the team working with her are wonderingwhether taxing sugary drinks will lead to a stigma regarding obesity.Her team is also gleaningdata from Statistics Canada in terms of who drinks what types of drinks and how that has changed over time.

The move to implement a sugary drink tax has been endorsed byHeart and Stroke Foundations across the country as well as Diabetes Canada.

• Health experts advocate for tax on sugary drinks

However, thereare those whodon't think such a tax wouldfree up money to investin health care.

• Sugary drink tax gets mostly negative reception in Inuvik

Riedigeris workingwith a team of seven other researchers on the massive project which is expected to take three years. In total, the grouphas received $700,000 in grants.

Riediger is hoping to recruit about 90 people for the research. Participants will be required to attend a one-hour interview and will receive an honorarium for taking part .Those interested can contact: sugartax@umanitoba.ca