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After cutting taxes on snus, sugar and alcohol, Erna Solberg and the government have pushed for a united Public Health Norway. On Friday he receives a call from heavyweights in the field.
The appeal is directed at the government, led by Erna Solberg. Employees of the National Institute of Public Health, led by Director Camilla Stoltenberg (left), are among those who signed the petition. Photo: Lise Åserud
“The budget arrangement is a setback for public health work. We do not need cheaper sweets, tobacco or alcohol, what we need are courageous and responsible politicians who look after the future health of today’s children, youth and adults.”
So begins a call, which will be sent to Prime Minister Erna Solberg on Friday. Behind the call are more than 100 organizations, associations, professionals, experts, health actors and others. They all have in common that they react to the fact that the government has reached a budget agreement with Frp in which taxes were reduced on a number of so-called goods exposed to border trade.
They do not save on gunpowder:
«The knowledge base is ignored, and the most important tool for influencing our dietary habits in a healthier direction has been removed. Even the proposal to study a new sugar tax for public health purposes is rejected by the government. This is nothing more than a disclaimer and a total stoppage of action.», It is said on appeal.
Paradox that rates are being lowered now
The initiative of the appeal was taken by a so-called alliance of NCDs. It is made up of the Norwegian Cancer Society, the National Public Health Association, the Mental Health Council, the National Association for Heart and Lung Diseases, and the Diabetes Association.
Many of its members struggle with health problems that make them more vulnerable to heart disease. At the same time, many of them suffer from diseases that can be prevented, among other things, by a healthy diet.
The petitioners believe it is a “great paradox that public health policy is sacrificed for the interests of business and trade policy at a time when good public health has proven more important than ever.”
It’s easy to get support for your appeal
– Why do you choose to protest in petition form?
– We do this because we experience that there is such a broad general understanding that rates are an important tool, says Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross.
She is Secretary General of the Cancer Society and heads the appeal.
– We knew that many players thought the same as us. It is well documented that taxes on unhealthy goods are the key to public health policy. And that applies not just nationally, but globally, he says.
It adds that it was therefore easy to get many to sign quickly during the appeal.
The appeal states that the government is moving toward its own public health policy goals when taxes are cut. The signatories believe that the government is also acting against the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO).
– Does a call have any effect?
– I hope the government listens to so many heavy players. Tax cuts are a public health setback. This is why so many heavyweight players are participating in the appeal. It is worth noting that both professional organizations, user organizations and interest organizations such as the Norwegian Medical Association, the Norwegian Nurses Association and other professionals are involved in this.
I could have chosen other means
– Tax cuts are said to be so low that they will not affect cross-border trade. Will they continue to affect sales in Norway?
– Yes, we know that the price works. We have very good documentation of this. The worst thing for us is that we know who are the most price sensitive, he says.
According to Ross, it is young people who are most affected by low prices.
– We are very concerned that the price will drop by. snus box will give younger people the luxury of smelling more. So we make a new generation addicted to tobacco, he says. She has a similar concern that young people can buy more sodas and sweets.
The appeal refers to the fact that there are other instruments besides tax cuts if you want to do something about cross-border trade. Ross believes that one could have chosen to lower the price of, for example, agricultural products or fish. He also believes that it would have a positive effect on Norwegian workplaces.
– There are many tools you could use, he says.
The appeal notes that lower quotas on what can be traded in neighboring countries would also affect cross-border trade. There are quotas for everything from tobacco and alcohol to meat.
