Sugar TAX could be introduced in Australia to stop obesity - but critics say it will only punish hard working Aussies Average 375ml can of 'fizzy' drink contains as much as 12 teaspoons of sugar Australians said to consume a staggering 2.4 billion litres of soft drink each year Push for eventual 'sugar tax' would see cans of Coke increased by up to 16 cents By Andrew Prentice For Daily Mail Australia Published: 01:30 GMT, 19 January 2022 | Updated: 01:30 GMT, 19 January 2022 Viewcomments Australia's top doctors are calling for a sugar tax on sweetened drinks to help tackle obesity, heart disease, diabetes and strokes and save billions in health costs - but critics have accused them of trying to control people's lives. The Australian Medical Association has launched a new social media campaign to highlight its calls for a tax on products containing a high amount of sugar such as Coca Cola. It wants a tax of 40 cents per 100 grams of sugar which would increase the price of sweetened drinks by an average of 20 per cent. According to research from the AMA, Australians consume 2.4 billion litres of soft drink each year - the equivalent to 960 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The proposed sugar tax, certain to upset countless hard-working Australians, would see the price of a can of Coke increased by up to 16 cents. The AMA estimates the tax would raise $814million a year - which could be spent on tackling obesity - and result in 16,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes, 4,400 fewer cases of heart disease and 1,100 fewer strokes over 25 years. A social media awareness campaign with a heavy focus on soft drinks has been launched by the Australian Medical Association in a bid to reduce obesity numbers across the nation Dubbed 'Sickly Sweet', the online campaign from the AMA wants to see the eventual introduction of a tax on products containing a high amount of sugar such as Coca Cola (pictured, a supermarket stacks shelves featuring drinks laced with sugar) The AMA's online campaign points out the high amount of sugar in some soft drinks (pictured) AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid, said excessive consumption of soft drinks can lead to major health problems. 'We think Aussies need to know what they are consuming and the impact it can have on their long-term health,' Khorshid said in a statement to mark the campaign launch. 'Sugary drinks are a ticking timebomb for the nation's health and we urge Australians to choose water whenever they can.' The AMA estimate that a targeted sugar tax would lead to a reduction in the prevalence of obesity by about 2 per cent, resulting in yearly healthcare savings of between $600million and $1.73billion. Several jurisdictions around the world already have a sugar tax including the UK, Mexico, France, Chile and some US cities. Critics at the time slammed the AMA's proposal, saying it will only hike prices for poorer families who consume more sugar. 'Sugar taxes are elitist and inherently regressive,' said Gideon Rozner, Director of Policy at free market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs. 'What kind of mean-spirited organisation proposes to make soft drinks less affordable for working people? 'The public health lobby is now angling to take away the precious few of life's joys we have left. The Australian Medical Association believe the introduction of a sugar tax would help tackle the obesity crisis in Australia The AMA want to see children (pictured) drink water as opposed to soft drinks or energy drinks 'The AMA should focus on issues pertaining to the medical profession, not telling the rest of us how to live our lives.' The Australian Beverages Council also opposes a sugar tax, stating there is not enough concrete evidence it would actually reduce obesity numbers. 'While sugar can play a part in poor diet, the causes of overweight, obesity and associated chronic disease are highly complex,' the council claims. 'The key determinants include, but are not limited to, interactions between genetic, metabolic, cultural, environmental, socioeconomic and behavioural factors.' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility