NSW bans soft drinks in school canteens

The NSW Government has moved to ban soft drinks from school canteens following the findings of a new health report that details a disturbing rise in the levels of childhood obesity.

This measure, which will clearly have impact on oral health also, was announced on 24 May 2006 by the NSW Premier, Morris Iemma, Minister for Health, John Hatzistergos and the Minister for Education and Training, Carmel Tebbutt.

The release notes that "One glass of soft drink contains almost 10 teaspoons of sugar, and this survey shows that almost six in 10 boys and four in 10 girls drink more than one glass of soft drink a day".

The Victorian Minister for Education, Lynne Kosky announced a similar ban in Victorian school canteens, which was reported in an ADAVB Blog posting on 24 April.