Overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Luxembourg continue to rise, according to a recent report by the Health Observatory.
In response, the Patient Advocacy Group has once again called for the introduction of a so-called sugar tax. Two years ago, the organisation already urged authorities to reduce sugar content in soft drinks.
Georges Klees from Patient Advocacy Group pointed to significant differences in sugar levels across Europe, noting that some lemonades contain far more sugar in Luxembourg than in neighbouring countries. For example, he highlighted that a particular brand contains 11 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres in Luxembourg, compared with 4.5 grams in France.
He cautioned, however, that replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners would not necessarily be a better solution, stressing that overall sugar consumption must be reduced, as it remains one of the main contributing factors to obesity.
According to the advocacy group, a tax should not primarily aim to raise prices, but rather to encourage manufacturers to lower sugar content. Klees argued that countries which have introduced such measures have seen positive results, particularly among children from disadvantaged backgrounds and especially among girls.
However, First Government Adviser Tom Rausch from the Ministry of Health and Social Security emphasised that a sugar tax is not currently included in the coalition agreement and that it is not the only way to address the issue.
He explained that implementing such a tax would present challenges, noting that in countries where sugar taxes have been particularly effective, such as the UK, geographical factors play a role. Luxembourg, he pointed out, is not an island and must take into account cross-border shopping.
While France and Belgium have introduced similar measures, Germany has taken a different approach, making it difficult for Luxembourg to act in isolation, Rausch said. He added that it is relatively easy for residents to shop across the border, which complicates the introduction of a national tax.
Rausch described childhood obesity as a complex problem requiring multiple approaches. He said that education and health promotion are key pillars.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that children, adolescents, and adults have the necessary knowledge to make informed and healthy choices. According to Rausch, the Ministry of Health and Social Security is working closely with the Ministry of Education to integrate topics such as balanced nutrition and prevention more strongly into school curricula across age groups.
He also underlined the importance of involving doctors and specialists. In this context, he referred to the new approach whereby physical activity can be prescribed by a doctor. He concluded that raising awareness among young people remains a priority for the Health Ministry, with further measures currently being explored.
