Sugar Tax

[zand]

I actually worry on a different note... The UK needs to lead the way ensuring that the "diet" drinks are going to limit the Aspartame. I only speak from my experience that I am crippled from Aspartame / sweetener intake....I've also seen an anorexic young lady absolutely addicted to the drink..
Sweeteners are also recognised as having problems with increasing appetite for sweet food.

Perhaps an incentive to advertisers and the plain simple water would be good..

Yes this is my worry too. Around 10ish years ago I switched to healthier eating largely because of the effects of sweeteners on my body. I buy the full sugar version of squash now as it has less harmful additives. I rarely drink it myself, but if I do I can account for the carbs in it in my daily quota. It's staggering just how many full sugar drinks have sweeteners as well. I can only find one in my local supermarket that doesn't contains some sort of artificial sweetener. I dread to think of the future health problems we are storing up for ourselves as a nation if everyone switches to sugar free products and consumes even more chemicals. Sugar is bad, but I'm not sure diet drinks are any better. I was addicted to them for several years and they helped me on my way to becoming obese.

 

[Oldvatr]

I tend to steer clear of the shakes. My son is 9 and so quick meals between activities are required. Mostly we eat healthy. I do sense an air of desperation from the Chancellor. He has no where to go, the additional tax I pay on the sensors gets my back up. I feel I am and will continue to be a burden on the health service unless they get a cure for T1.
I am happy to take the place of the poor mice I keep reading about.

You have not indicated any diagnosis, so I must presume you are not yet a full member of the Diabetes club? If you get a diagnosis of diabetes by a doctor, then you will be eligible to reclaim the VAT tax on consumables and equipment necessary for your care, provided these items are uniquely essential to someone with your condition. Thus, test strips are allowed, but Lucozade is not since anyone can buy and use it. My mobility scooter qualifies, but my car does not.

 

[catapillar]

@Nuck , I agree with @Oldvatr - but your post reads like you are type 1? Anyway, any D diagnosis should qualify you for exemptions from paying VAT on CGM or libre sensors and the retailers supplying them are usually pretty good at highlighting this and providing instructions/the forms to fill in so you don't pay the VAT when purchasing. Is it different sensors you are talking about? Or maybe different tax?

 

[catherinecherub]

@Nuck is a Type1.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/disinterested-gp.97482/page-3#post-1100883

 

[Oldvatr]

@Nuck is a Type1.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/disinterested-gp.97482/page-3#post-1100883

Hi @Nuck I see you are eligible for VAT exemption. I take it the sensor you talk about is something like a Libre or other CGM device. Otherwise you should be able to get test consumables (i.e. strips) on scrip from your GP or Diabetic specialist.

Has anyone offered you a support course eg. DAPHNE or XPERT? If not then badger your GP. As a T1D you should get more support than I do.

 

[Nuck]

@Nuck , I agree with @Oldvatr - but your post reads like you are type 1? Anyway, any D diagnosis should qualify you for exemptions from paying VAT on CGM or libre sensors and the retailers supplying them are usually pretty good at highlighting this and providing instructions/the forms to fill in so you don't pay the VAT when purchasing. Is it different sensors you are talking about? Or maybe different tax?

Hi
I am a Type 1 when I spoke to them they said I needed to be registered as disabled. However, having read the HMRC guide lines I think I can argue its a chronic disease. I will follow this up.

 

[catapillar]

Hi
I am a Type 1 when I spoke to them they said I needed to be registered as disabled. However, having read the HMRC guide lines I think I can argue its a chronic disease. I will follow this up.

You won't need to argue! Have a look - http://www.diabetes.co.uk/vat-exemption.html - not sure if you will be able to claim it back, but certainly don't be paying any more vat on the sensors going forward.

 

[Oldvatr]

Hi
I am a Type 1 when I spoke to them they said I needed to be registered as disabled. However, having read the HMRC guide lines I think I can argue its a chronic disease. I will follow this up.

It is classed as chronic disease. It is recognised as such by HMRC. You do not need to provide proof when you claim VAT exemption, but they may follow up if there is an audit.

 

[himtoo]

It seems reasonable to assume that as a formerly diagnosed T2, non-medicated - for anything, without any form of condition (thankfully) to qualify me for an exemption certificate, I will have a differing viewpoint to those with T1 or serious co-morbidities, but it strikes me that a bit of expanded thinking could be useful in certain instances.

Having never knowingly had a hypo, and certainly never a serious one, I cannot know what it feels like to do so, however surely if an individual is experiencing very frequent hypos that needs to be addressed by other means than drinking sugary drinks? I don't necessarily mean during the hypo itself, but a review of the preventative steps the individual could employ, whether that be diet, medication, testing or any other relevant factors.

Where I have greatest issue is where individuals are looking for support for their preferred way of managing their blood sugars during regular exercise and the like. I find it much harder to oooooooze much empathy there. That an individual chooses to exercise is clearly good, but again, if hypos, or near hypos, are being induced by the exercise, could there be an alternative to necessarily a fizzy drink - whether by exploring earlier feeding or drinking non-taxable fluids?

therein lies one of the greatest misconceptions of people with type ! -- do you think any of us try to get hypos ?
the vast majority of people on this forum that are type 1 will not see this as helpful and I think you should try to talk with some t1's either in PM or engage on some of the T1 sub forums before making such broad statements

 

[chris lowe]

Yes this is my worry too. Around 10ish years ago I switched to healthier eating largely because of the effects of sweeteners on my body. I buy the full sugar version of squash now as it has less harmful additives. I rarely drink it myself, but if I do I can account for the carbs in it in my daily quota. It's staggering just how many full sugar drinks have sweeteners as well. I can only find one in my local supermarket that doesn't contains some sort of artificial sweetener. I dread to think of the future health problems we are storing up for ourselves as a nation if everyone switches to sugar free products and consumes even more chemicals. Sugar is bad, but I'm not sure diet drinks are any better. I was addicted to them for several years and they helped me on my way to becoming obese.

I have trouble finding drinks without sweeteners for Mr Chris who can sniff out saccharine/aspartame etc at 50 paces. Every time I buy squash or similar I have to read labels to make sure. Mind you it's quite useful when we're out & I get full fat instead of Diet Coke, he can tell by the smell it's wrong

 

[AndBreathe]

therein lies one of the greatest misconceptions of people with type ! -- do you think any of us try to get hypos ?
the vast majority of people on this forum that are type 1 will not see this as helpful and I think you should try to talk with some t1's either in PM or engage on some of the T1 sub forums before making such broad statements

I'm not suggesting anyone is trying to have hypos. What I am saying is that should anyone find themselves having many hypos they should seek help in an attempt to minimize that occurrence, moving forward. Mrs Vimes, who is T1 understood this, so I can't have been all that oblique.

To be clear, the main issue I have with a broad brush stroke exemption for anyone in this (assuming it happens) is where there appears to be an expectation the supply of exempt fizzy drinks would be available to support lifestyle choices, such as hypo inducing exercise.

For the avoidance of doubt, I have been doubly fortunate never to have had to claim benefits, nor to qualify for any form of prescription exemptions - except when I was a minor. I don't grudge a penny of my share of the taxes supporting those who are less fortunate than me, but to expect those of us, both fortunate enough and motivated enough to be able manage our condition without pharmaceutical support to underpin another individual's choice to go to the gym is little beyond my altruistic desire.

 

[Oldvatr]

I have trouble finding drinks without sweeteners for Mr Chris who can sniff out saccharine/aspartame etc at 50 paces. Every time I buy squash or similar I have to read labels to make sure. Mind you it's quite useful when we're out & I get full fat instead of Diet Coke, he can tell by the smell it's wrong

I used to have this problem with my daughter, who hates anything that adulterates the natural taste of the manna from heaven that is table sugar. However, when I switched to a sucralose tab, she tried one, and NOW she prefers it to sugar, You never can tell. She has Earl Grey tea with 1 tab where she used to have it with half small tsp of sugar. makes my life simpler.

 

[Oldvatr]

Nothing nicer than a feast icecream (ok-its 20 carbs-a little OTT) when hypo...

I just can't believe that I'm the only one that doesn't stick to horrible lucozade and that I actually treat myself!!
Next to my bed I have sugar cubes but also kendal tablet..
Kendal tablet needs less than a 1cm square to stave off a hypo and just sits in a paper bag... Even at night if hypo I count it as a treat... And that means no faffing around unscrewing bottles tops and gulping too much.

Years ago when I had unrecognised night hypo hubby just got milk n sugar in a tommee tippee mug for me..-again easy peasy... And I will take it like a baby..

I don't know why people are so riled up about tax on lucozade. Its beyond me...

I am copying your post because I like it so much, I think it is relevant to the discussion here, It correlates to my experiences among my T1 friends.

BTW what is a Kendal tablet? Is this the same as Kendal Mint cake that climbers and survivalists use? My mum used that for her hypos. I used to munch on her dextrose tabs as a kid but I wasn't allowed near the kendal mint.....

 

[Jaylee]

I just can't believe that I'm the only one that doesn't stick to horrible lucozade and that I actually treat myself!!

Your not alone.. You may recal a million pages ago on this thread, I mentioned "milk & biscuit" Even the carb in the crust of a "pork pie"?? Among others... If I have the time? I prefer the slower journey "home."

I'm not suggesting anyone is trying to have hypos. What I am saying is that should anyone find themselves having many hypos they should seek help in an attempt to minimize that occurrence, moving forward. Mrs Vimes, who is T1 understood this, so I can't have been all that oblique.

To be clear, the main issue I have with a broad brush stroke exemption for anyone in this (assuming it happens) is where there appears to be an expectation the supply of exempt fizzy drinks would be available to support lifestyle choices, such as hypo inducing exercise.

For the avoidance of doubt, I have been doubly fortunate never to have had to claim benefits, nor to qualify for any form of prescription exemptions - except when I was a minor. I don't grudge a penny of my share of the taxes supporting those who are less fortunate than me, but to expect those of us, both fortunate enough and motivated enough to be able manage our condition without pharmaceutical support to underpin another individual's choice to go to the gym is little beyond my altruistic desire.

That's what normally happens at a T1 style check up.. They actively discourage & sort out ways of minimising multiple hypoglycaemic events..

I believe "Mrs Vimes" & I are of like mind. I understood the nature of your initial comment, & have no "beef"..

I work days & thus pay tax. You don't hear me bleating about fuel duty to get to a gig in the evenings either.. As mentioned earlier I keep a bottle handy.. The music is energetic stuff (I run about like a 5 year old.) I tend not to eat for at least 6 hours prior & with my basal is tailing off too. I wind up most nights with reasonable blood levels...

Lucozade is addictive by nature due to its quick rise and fall. You will soon wanna come back for more.
The general advice both with the docs & on this forum is bring the levels back up with quick acting then follow up with longer acting carb, is it not?

 

[Mrs Vimes]

I'm not suggesting anyone is trying to have hypos. What I am saying is that should anyone find themselves having many hypos they should seek help in an attempt to minimize that occurrence, moving forward. Mrs Vimes, who is T1 understood this, so I can't have been all that oblique.

To be clear, the main issue I have with a broad brush stroke exemption for anyone in this (assuming it happens) is where there appears to be an expectation the supply of exempt fizzy drinks would be available to support lifestyle choices, such as hypo inducing exercise.

For the avoidance of doubt, I have been doubly fortunate never to have had to claim benefits, nor to qualify for any form of prescription exemptions - except when I was a minor. I don't grudge a penny of my share of the taxes supporting those who are less fortunate than me, but to expect those of us, both fortunate enough and motivated enough to be able manage our condition without pharmaceutical support to underpin another individual's choice to go to the gym is little beyond my altruistic desire.

Yep, I'm with you. I have diabetes, sometimes my sugars will drop to the low 4s. Depending on what I am doing I may have 1 swig of lucozade or a 4g glucotablet. The tablets are easier to carry but the bottle is definitely faster. But it's like non-diabetics refuelling. They won't get exemptions for whatever they choose to refuel with.
Again, if you use that much lucozade that this is going to see you homeless then please go back and get advice from your hospital/clinic.
This sort of reaction makes us look like we are constantly sickly and out of control. Who would want to employ us?
I have diabetes / am diabetic I am not a victim.

 

[Mrs Vimes]

@donnellysdogs I used to treat myself but would eat the whole bleedin box. Now I use lucozade and glucotablets which are disgusting so I don't respond to the eat all of the fridge urge! I justified half a tub of Ben and Jerries doing this once.

 

[Brunneria]

@donnellysdogs I used to treat myself but would eat the whole bleedin box. Now I use lucozade and glucotablets which are disgusting so I don't respond to the eat all of the fridge urge! I justified half a tub of Ben and Jerries doing this once.

Hell yeah.
The only thing worse than the hypo was/is the carb binge/inhalation/OTT binge fest it can spark (speaking as a reactive hypoglycaemic).

 

[catapillar]

To be clear, the main issue I have with a broad brush stroke exemption for anyone in this (assuming it happens) is where there appears to be an expectation the supply of exempt fizzy drinks would be available to support lifestyle choices, such as hypo inducing exercise

An exemption, if properly available & implemented for hypo treatments, wouldn't require any support from your taxes. I can't see anyone is asking for you to pay for their hypo treatments. As far as I'm aware they aren't available on script. If an exemption were to be available, it would just mean a tiny bit less would go into the pot gained from the sugar tax.

It seems counter intuitive to suggest that a public health measure designed to reduce obesity should stop/adversly impact on insulin dependant diabetics engaging in the lifestyle choice of keeping active & exercising.

 

[Mrs Vimes]

Can't remember who (sorry) made an excellent point about the costings of organising the paperwork for setting this system up. If this is going to stop/adversely impact someones life I'd say that there is already a problem if someone is having that many hypos.
I would say they need to be going back to the hospital/clinic and get advice.

 

[Robinredbreast]

An exemption, if properly available & implemented for hypo treatments, wouldn't require any support from your taxes. I can't see anyone is asking for you to pay for their hypo treatments. As far as I'm aware they aren't available on script. If an exemption were to be available, it would just mean a tiny bit less would go into the pot gained from the sugar tax.

It seems counter intuitive to suggest that a public health measure designed to reduce obesity should stop/adversly impact on insulin dependant diabetics engaging in the lifestyle choice of keeping active & exercising.

A neighbour, who is type 2 and on Insulin , told me a few years back ( he is over 70 now) that he gets his Glucotabs on prescription, because he was an OAP, over 60.
The thread is about a 'possible Sugar tax', regarding children and obesity. Prices for ALL foods and household items go up all the time, so a few pence on my Dolly mixtures isn't going to break the bank and I am on basic wages too. Definitely something has to be done to combat the growing problem with the staggering amount of sugar/ glucose in our day to day foods, peoples consumption of it and lifestyle too, which is sedentary compared to a few decades ago, it's shocking.