Debate soft drink tax: researcher

Australia should debate the question of imposing a tax on soft drinks to help curb obesity, a university researcher says.

University of Adelaide research fellow Caroline Miller says while international health agencies are investigating and implementing a range of interventions, the issue of a tax on soft drinks hasn't been fully debated at a health policy level.

"There is an opportunity here for Australia to show its leadership once again," she said.

Dr Miller will pose the question at a free lecture in Adelaide on Wednesday.

"For many years Australia has been a world leader in tobacco control, and now has among the lowest rates of smoking in the world," she said.

"This is due to health professionals and policy makers alike recognising that smoking is major a public health problem requiring a public health response.

"Many of the lessons we've learned in reducing smoking could also be applied to the over-consumption of unhealthy food and beverages, such as soft drinks."