ADAWA calls for end to sugarydrink sponsorships in sport The Australian Dental Association of WA has united with WA’s peak public health and medical experts to call for an end to the sponsorship of sport by junk food companies, with one of the largest junk food companies in the world granted official sponsorship of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in Japan.
Cancer Council WA CEO, Ashley Reid, said the time has come to question unhealthy sponsorship of sport by junk food and sugary drink companies; a call backed by ADAWA. “With Coca-Cola being granted ‘Worldwide Olympic Partner’ of this year’s Olympic Games in Japan, millions of children and families around the world are being exposed to marketing messages pushing these sugarladen products,” Mr Reid said. ADAWA Chief Executive Officer Dr David Hallett said that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in Australian adults and children, commonly caused by added sugars. This type of sponsorship of elite and community sports normalises the consumption of sugary drinks.
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“Consumption of added sugars is the main contributor to tooth decay in children, young people and adults,” Dr Hallett said. “Given nearly half of Australian children have tooth decay, it’s clear that we need to do more to raise awareness of how these products are ruining our WA smiles, but also to have an environment that makes healthy choices easier. “In 2021, with what we know about protecting teeth, we should have eradicated tooth decay. Instead, not only is tooth decay common, but our members are reporting that these cases of severe decay are far too frequent.” Telethon Kids Institute Executive Director, Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, said we need to protect the community from industry
