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These cuts examples of measures that do not promote public health but inhibit it.
The budget clearance means that taxes on, among other things, snus, beer, soft drinks and snacks will be reduced. It is a measure that will hamper public health, the presenters believe. Photo: NTB
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Associate Professor Astrid Synnøve Litland, Associate Professor Elin Salemonsen and Professor Eva Langeland
Master’s degree section of subjects in midwifery and health nursing at HVL
DebateThis is a discussion post. The post is written by an external contributor and quality assured by BT’s discussion department. Opinions and analyzes are those of the author.
Public health work It is, among other things, that society allows us, each one of us, to choose healthy alternatives. The price of an item affects what we choose. Therefore, a tax can be of great importance both for the choice of the individual and for the health of the population.
The budget agreement that the FRP has entered into with the government parties is very unfortunate for public health. The tax on chocolate and confectionery will be eliminated, the tax on non-alcoholic beverages will be reduced by half and the tax on snus, beer and wine will be reduced.
Those of us who work with the education of health professionals react to this, because we know that such taxes have a positive effect on public health.
Astrid Synnøve Litland, Eva Langeland, and Elin Salemonsen. Photo: Private
Tax cuts are examples of measures that do not promote public health but inhibit it. This is contrary to what the Public Health Law says, that is, that society must influence factors that directly or indirectly promote the well-being and health of the population and prevent diseases, injuries and mental and somatic disorders.
A large part of the disease burden in our part of the world is due to tobacco, alcohol, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inactivity and obesity, according to the World Health Organization. In other words, improving one’s diet and reducing tobacco, alcohol, and drug use is an important public health goal. This budget arrangement is therefore a step back for public health work.
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The applicants of the agreement respond to: Billions in cuts of taxes on goods like alcohol, tobacco and chocolate.
Siv Jensen (Frp) presented the budget agreement between the government parties and Frp on December 1. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum, NTB
Politicians have the responsibility to plan and implement measures, such as facilitating healthy decision-making. There are many examples of successful public health measures, and research has shown that structural and political measures, such as the location and price of food, have an impact on what people choose to buy.
Reducing the salt content of processed foods has led to fewer people having high blood pressure. Walking and biking trails have made physical activity easier. There is reason to believe that the sugar tax has helped children and young people get less sugar.
The Law on Smoking has saved many lives and has saved society millions in health costs.
Bike and walking trails are an example of steps that make it easier for people to make good decisions and are good for public health. Photo: Alexander Worren
That the politicians Decision-making that affects our choices often faces criticism. But the fact is that laws and taxes have proven much more effective from a public health perspective than measures directed at people to change their behavior.
We train health personnel who actively contribute to public health work in the Høgskulen på Vestlandet (HVL) health service. Public health is a separate field and field of research, and those of us who represent this issue know that structural measures work and that the effect of individual responsibility is limited.
In our opinion, this budget proposal is contrary to the intentions of the Public Health Law.
The budget settlement is ashamed to witness. How can the government adopt this when it contradicts the knowledge we have about facilitation to improve public health?
