Say! Proposed Sugar- Sweetened Beverages Policy. Have your

Transcription

1 PAGE 1 Have your Say! Proposed Sugar- Sweetened Beverages Policy 2017 Ashburton District Council is proposing to adopt a Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Policy which applies to Council workplaces and facilities, and Council-run or sponsored events. This booklet includes a copy of the proposed Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Policy as well as a submission form for your feedback. We are accepting feedback until 22 October 2017.

2 PROPOSED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES POLICY 2017 Introduction Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) policies aim to promote healthy choices by limiting the availability of certain drinks. These policies restrict the availability of drinks with added sugar from workplaces. Promoting healthy lifestyles is important to Council. It is therefore proposed a SSB Policy is adopted to encourage individuals to make healthy choices in their lives. Similar to a Smokefree Policy, the goal is to denormalise the consumption of sugary drinks which have a negative impact on health. Council is now consulting on the proposed Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Policy. This document includes a full copy of the policy and a feedback form so you can have your say. Why is a policy required? Decreasing SSB consumption among New Zealanders is a challenging prospect due to their relatively low cost, wide availability, high palatability, and heavy marketing. The World Health Organization and World Cancer Research Fund International, among other organisations, highlight the need to create health-promoting food environments that enable the public to easily make healthy food choices. The theory underpinning SSB Policies in workplaces is that restricting the availability of SSBs will lead to decreased consumption, and decreased prevalence of the health issues associated with overconsumption. However, this theory relies on the assumption that consumer preference will shift away from SSBs and toward sugar-free substitutes. It is difficult to prove that SSB policies shift consumer preference in this regard. There are currently no controls in place that limit the consumption of SSBs in the Council workplace or at Council facilities/events. Council has decided to consult on whether or not to adopt a SSB Policy, and what the policy should contain. The proposed policy aims to increase awareness about the sugar content of beverages and ultimately improve public health outcomes. Council will consult separately with employees on the provisions related to Council workplaces. Policy 0ptions considered Option One Do not adopt a policy In this option, it is proposed that no SSB Policy is adopted. This will mean there are no restrictions on the types of drinks available at Council facilities, events or workplaces. Those in support of this option would argue: There is no clear link between adopting a policy and improved health outcomes. Adopting a policy could be seen as outside of the normal role of Council given there is no legislative mandate to adopt a SSB Policy. The policy limits choice for those who wish to consume SSBs. The policy could be seen as overly restrictive and infringing on the rights of individuals. The policy impedes on the right of individuals to consume SSBs as a once off or a treat.

3 PAGE 3 Option Two Adopt a policy (recommended) Council could choose to adopt a SSB Policy. This would mean SSBs would be banned or limited at Council facilities, events or workplaces. Those in support of this option would argue: The policy will provide clear guidance on Council s stance regarding SSBs. Adopting a policy may lead to improved health outcomes for Council employees and the wider community. Adopting a policy can be considered in line with Council s Community Outcomes. This policy is in line with other Council decisions regarding community wellbeing, such as the endorsement of Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 and the adoption of the Smokefree Outdoor Areas Policy. Similar policies are in place in schools therefore this policy could be seen as meeting the expectations of the community. Policy approaches When developing this policy, two approaches were considered that proposed varying levels of restrictions. These approaches were categorised as (1) partially restrictive policy, and (2) fully restrictive policy. Council determined the most appropriate approach was to adopt a partially restrictive policy. Given there are currently no controls in place, it would not be favourable to introduce immediate strict restrictions. The differences between the two approaches are detailed below: Council workplaces Vending machine at Administration Building Event delivered by Council Event where Council is the principle sponsor Event where Council provides funding but is not principle sponsor EA Networks Centre Café EA Networks Centre Vending machines Partially restrictive policy (RECOMMEND) Provide only healthy beverages for meetings or events. Require vending machine to contain majority healthy beverages when contract is next renewed. Only healthy beverages available for consumption or purchase. Contractual obligation that Council funds will not be used to purchase SSBs. Encourage event organisers to only purchase/supply healthy beverages. Encourage café to provide healthy beverages as the majority of beverages. Require 50% of beverages available to be healthy beverages. Fully restrictive policy Total ban on SSBs in the workplace. Remove vending machines when the contract is next reviewed. Ban food trucks/mobile shops from providing SSBs at these events. Contractual obligation to ban SSBs. Funding not provided unless event bans SSBs. Contractual obligation to ban SSBs. Funding not provided unless event bans SSBs. Require total ban on SSBs when the contract is next renewed. Remove vending machines containing SSBs when the contract is next reviewed.

4 PROPOSED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES POLICY 2017 Proposed Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Policy 2017 Policy Objective This policy supports the health of Council employees, visitors and elected members at Ashburton District Council workplaces through the provision of healthy beverage choices. This policy also supports the health of those visiting or attending public events delivered or funded by Council and public events at Council-owned facilities. The overall objective is to support healthy beverage choices while lessening exposure to sugarsweetened beverages to have a positive impact on the current and future health of the community. Definitions COUNCIL: means Ashburton District Council. SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGE: means any beverage that has had calorific sweetener, usually sugar, added prior to sale. The main categories of sugary drinks include soft drinks/fizzy drinks, sachet mixes, fruit drinks, cordials, and energy/ sports drinks. Application This policy applies to: Council workplaces, events where Council provides funding, and events provided by Council at Council-owned facilities or land This policy does not apply to: alcoholic beverages, and private events held at Council-owned facilities or land. Policy Statement The purpose of this policy is to fulfil Council s desire to promote positive health choices and outcomes in Ashburton District. 1. Background There is a growing awareness of the association between added sugars and a number of health related conditions including obesity, poor dental health, and serious medical conditions such as type-2 diabetes. Council aims to positively influence the health behaviours of employees, elected members and visitors to Council facilities. 2. Healthy beverage choices The following beverages are accepted as alternative choices to sugar-sweetened beverages and are supported under this policy: Water 100% fruit juice Unsweetened milk Artificially sweetened or zero sugar soft drinks Coffee and tea. 3. Council workplaces Council will ensure that when providing beverages for meetings or events at Council workplaces, only those listed as healthy beverage choices will be purchased and/or supplied. There is one vending machine located at the Council administration building. Upon the end of the contract, this machine <will be removed> OR <will be replaced with a machine where the majority of drinks are healthy beverage choices>. 4. Events where Council provides funding 4.1 Event delivered by Council Only healthy beverage choices will be available for consumption or purchase. The following are excluded from this requirement: food trucks/

5 PAGE 5 stalls, and vending machine or café purchases made at the EA Networks Centre during events delivered by Council. 4.2 Council is the principle sponsor for the event Contracts will require that beverages not classed as healthy beverage choices will not be purchased with Council funds. Council will encourage event organisers to purchase/supply healthy beverages and to exclude the sale of SSBs from their event. 4.3 Council provides funding but is not the principle sponsor There will be no contractual obligation to provide only healthy beverages. However, Council will encourage event organisers to purchase/supply healthy beverages and to exclude the sale of SSBs from their event. 5. EA Networks Centre Beverages can be purchased at the EA Networks Centre through use of the vending machines or from the onsite café. Council will ensure the majority of the beverages available for sale in the vending machines are healthy beverage choices. Council will encourage the onsite café to provide healthy beverages as the majority of beverages available. 6. Events at Council-owned facilities All vendors and operators of public events located on/at Council-owned facilities will be encouraged to exclude the sale or provision of beverages not considered healthy beverage choices under this policy.

6 PROPOSED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES POLICY 2017 Have your say! Your views on the proposed Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Policy are important to us, and we encourage you to make a submission. Written submissions can be made to the Council up until 5pm on 22 October The easiest way to provide your feedback is to complete the form online at ashburtondc.govt.nz/haveyoursay Alternatively, you can provide feedback by filling in the attached submission form and getting it back to us using one of the following Freepost to: Ashburton District Council Policy Reviews Freepost PO Box 94, Ashburton to: communityplanning@adc.govt.nz Hand in to: Council reception, Ashburton Public Library, Ashburton Museum or EA Networks Centre Submit online at: ashburtondc.govt.nz/haveyoursay Submissions close at 5pm on Sunday 22 October 2017 What happens next? POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS DATE Community consultation 22 September 22 October 2017 Submission hearings Submitters can present their submission to the Bylaw and Policy Subcommittee in person at a hearing. Policy finalisation The Subcommittee will consider and deliberate on submissions, making the necessary changes to the draft policy as a result of submissions. 30 November 2017 By 4 December 2017 Policy adopted by Council The new policy is expected to be adopted by Council at this meeting 14 December 2017

7 Tell us what you think Your feedback is valuable to us. Thank you for taking the time PAGE 7 to make a submission. You may have other things to tell us as part of your feedback - please attach any additional information to this form. Please note, all submissions are public documents and will be made available on Council s website with the names and contact details of submitters included. Who First name: Organisation (if appropriate): Street number: Suburb / Town / RD: Phone: Street name: Last name: Postcode: Do you wish to speak in support of your submission at the hearing? (If no boxes are ticked, it will be considered that you do not wish to be heard) Yes: Hearings are expected to be held in the Council Chamber, 2 Baring Square East on 30 November No: I do not wish to speak in support of my submission and ask that the following written submission be fully considered. 1. Do you support in principle the intention to regulate the consumption of SSBs through a policy? Yes No 2. What aspects of the proposed policy do you agree with and why? (please specify the topic and/or clause numbers) 3. What aspects of the proposed policy do you disagree with and why? (please specify the topic and/or clause numbers)

8 PROPOSED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES POLICY Do you have any other comments, ideas, or feedback? Signature: Date: FOLD HERE FreePost Authority Ashburton District Council PO Box 94 Ashburton 7740