A “sugar tax” on junk food and soda could help to tackle Bermuda’s obesity problem, according to Shadow Health Minister Kim Wilson.

The Progressive Labour Party MP told the House of Assembly on Friday that a duty on unhealthy items could help to reduce obesity-related illnesses and raise revenue.

She urged Government to consider the tax on “things like soda, junk food” and highlighted that it had been imposed in other countries.

Mexico, Norway, Samoa, Hungary, Denmark and Australia are among the nations who have introduced taxes on fatty and sugary items.

“Some people may think that’s over-regulation by the state,” Ms Wilson said. “However, we all directly pay high costs associated with the costs of obesity.

“The revenue from a sugar tax can be directed towards education and prevention and assist in subsidised insurance for those who can least afford it.” Ms Wilson said “addressing the rising costs of healthcare is critical” and said many of her constituents were struggling to afford insurance, or did not have any.

She encouraged residents to “take personal responsibility for our own individual health” and said obesity was preventable.

She also called for a focus on prevention education to promote this, and urged the Government to take advantage of the National Health Plan produced in 2011 when introducing the Bermuda Health Plan outlined in the Throne Speech.

“Rising healthcare costs can’t be sustained,” she said. “Addressing high health costs is too important to scrap two years of hard work only to start all over.

“So much work has already gone into the production of a health plan. I’m not concerned with who gets the credit, the beneficiaries are the people of Bermuda.”

Ms Wilson also highlighted the benefits of alternative therapies and the lack of insurance provision for them.

“Legislation should be produced so insurance companies are required to pay coverage for alternative treatments,” she said. “There’s an increased use and recognition of the benefits of complementary and alternative therapy.”