A 20 per cent tax on companies that make sugary drinks could help save more than 13,000 lives over the next 25 years, according to a University of Waterloo study released Thursday.
It would also save $11.5 billion on health-care spending and bring in $43.6 billion in government revenue.
"We know Canadians – including our children – are consuming too much sugar and sugary drinks in particular are harming our health," said Mary Lewis of the Heart and Stroke Foundation in a release.
"These products are not essential groceries, providing little to no nutritional value, and a levy is one proven way to help reduce consumption and support healthy living initiatives
In 2015, the average Canadian youth consumed 578 millilitres of sugary drinks each day — or approximately one-and-a-half standard pop cans.
If sugary drink manufacturers were taxed, researchers estimate it would prevent:
- 600,000 cases of obesity
- 200,000 cases of type 2 diabetes
- 60,000 cases of ischemic heart disease
- 20,000 cases of cancer
- 8,000 strokes
In light of the report's findings, nearly two dozen organizations, including Diabetes Canada, the Childhood Obesity Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society, have endorsed a call to action for Canadian government to tax sugary drinks.
In October, the World Health Organization called for global action against sugary drink consumption. The organization suggested not only taxing unhealthy foods, but subsidizing fresh fruits and vegetables as much as 10 to 30 per cent.
The U.K. announced in 2016 that it would tax drinks with more sugar than five grams per 100 millilitres, and some soda companies have already begun to reduce the amount of sugar in their offerings, according to CNN.
Mexico, France, and Norway are among countries that have implemented a sugar tax, as well as cities in the U.S. like Philadelphia.
In Canada, the Northwest Territories has proposed a pop tax that could be implemented as early as next year.
Follow The Huffington Post Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Common Names For Added Sugar
Agave(01 of21)
Open Image ModalThis plant based syrup has a sweet mild flavour and is used in making alcoholic beverages like Tequila. (credit:Bill Boch via Getty Images)
Barley Malt(02 of21)
Open Image ModalBlackstrap Molasses(03 of21)
Open Image ModalDark dregs of molasses get boiled down a bit more to make sweet blackstrap molasses. And while many health enthusiasts praise the syrup, it should be noted that it only contains a fraction of the iron, calcium and phosphates found in sugar cane. (credit:Spyderella/Flickr)
Brown Sugar(04 of21)
Open Image ModalNo, brown sugar isn't the 'whole wheat' version of sugar, it is actually white sugar combined with molasses. (credit:Shutterstock / IngridHS)
Cane Sugar / Syrup(05 of21)
Open Image ModalThis thick sweetener is derived from sugar cane. (credit:MVorobiev)
Caramel(06 of21)
Open Image ModalCooked sugar is still sugar, so if you're looking to cut out added sugars you should definitely be avoiding caramel. (credit:Laura Groesbeck via Getty Images)
Concentrated Fruit Juice(07 of21)
Open Image ModalFresh fruits are absolutely good for you, but concentrated fruit juice is just too sweet. Think of this stuff as all the overwhelming sweetness from 12 fruits with none of the nutritious fibre. (credit:Erwin Purnomosidi via Getty Images)
Corn Syrup(08 of21)
Open Image ModalThis thick, sweet syrup is made from cornstarch, and is a key ingredient in frosting, candies, jams and jellies. (credit:PRImageFactory via Getty Images)
Demerara Sugar(09 of21)
Open Image ModalThis coarse raw sugar originated from the Demerara area of Guyana. It's toffee-like flavour makes a good alternative to brown sugar. (credit:Joy Skipper via Getty Images)
High-Fructose Corn Syrup(10 of21)
Open Image ModalHoney(11 of21)
Open Image ModalThis sweet liquid doesn't get its colour and flavour from bees, its sweet taste actually comes from flower nectar. (credit:Ljupco Smokovski via Getty Images)
Icing Sugar(12 of21)
Open Image ModalThere's not a huge difference between granulated and powdered sugar. Powdered sugar is in fact granulated sugar ground super fine. (credit:Dave King)
Lactose(13 of21)
Open Image ModalThis sugar, derived from milk can be quite difficult for both children and adults to digest. (credit:Shutterstock / Subbotina Anna)
Liquid Sugar(14 of21)
Open Image ModalThis simple syrup is made with a combination of granulated sugar and water. (credit:David Murray and Jules Selmes via Getty Images)
Maple Syrup(15 of21)
Open Image ModalMade from the sap in maple trees, maple syrup is often served on its own. (credit:Chefmd via Getty Images)
Molasses(16 of21)
Open Image ModalAnother byproduct of sugar cane, molasses is used in everything from baked beans to gingerbread. (credit:Rachel Husband via Getty Images)
Muscovado Sugar(17 of21)
Open Image ModalYet another cane sugar, muscavado is a moist brown sugar with strong molasses flavour. (credit:Gary Ombler via Getty Images)
Nectar(18 of21)
Open Image ModalThis super sweet liquid is what attracts bees to flowers. (credit:sf_foodphoto)
Raw Sugar(19 of21)
Open Image ModalRaw sugar is what is left from sugar cane after the molasses is removed. While it looks and tastes like light brown sugar it is structurally very different. (credit:Yuri Arcurs via Getty Images)
Rice Syrup(20 of21)
Open Image ModalThis thick syrup is made from the starch found in rice. (credit:Bill Boch via Getty Images)
Turbinado Sugar(21 of21)
Open Image ModalThis cane sugar is less processed than brown sugar and gives off a smooth caramel flavour. (credit:David Bishop Inc. via Getty Images)