Kuala lumpur: Providing free drinking water at restaurants and food premises could be a simple but effective public health measure to reduce sugar consumption and help to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), according to the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azrul Mohd Khalib, the chief executive officer of the Galen Centre, highlighted that Malaysia's health concerns are not solely driven by excessive food intake but also by the high consumption of sugary beverages. Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 revealed that one in five adults in Malaysia did not consume enough plain water daily. National nutrition data further indicated that sugar-sweetened beverages remain deeply embedded in Malaysians' diets.

Azrul noted that more than half of Malaysian adults are now overweight or obese, with one in five living with diabetes. The issue of childhood obesity is also on the rise, increasing the risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and cancer, while contributing to premature deaths. This situation places greater pressure on families, employers, insurers, and the public health system through rising healthcare costs.

Azrul emphasized that limited access to free drinking water, particularly when it is highly priced, might drive customers towards sugar-sweetened beverages and other high-calorie options. He urged the government and local authorities, especially the Ministry of Health, to introduce legislation or official licensing requirements mandating all restaurants and licensed food establishments to provide drinking water to customers at no charge. This measure aims to promote water as the default beverage choice.

While acknowledging that free drinking water alone would not solve the NCD crisis, Azrul described it as an important baseline measure to foster a healthier food environment. He cited examples from other countries, such as Spain and the United Kingdom, where establishments are required to offer free tap water.

Azrul concluded by stressing that customers should not have to pay extra to choose the healthiest drink. He described making free drinking water available in restaurants as one of the simplest public health interventions, emphasizing its practicality, affordability, and fairness. "Let's make the healthy choice the easy choice," he stated.