THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THAT JUNK FOOD SHOULD BE BANNED FROM

SCHOOLS

GOVERNMENT (DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER)

Thank you, Mr/Miss Speaker. Before I proceed with the arguments from our side, I would like
to rebut the arguments mentioned by the opposition earlier on. [REBUTTALS]

Now, allow me to move on with more elaborated arguments from our side. Just now,
our prime minister has explained that junk food should be banned from schools because
(1)students need proper nutrition for growth and (2)banning junk food is a way to prevent
sickness among students. Here, I would like to add on that junk food wrappers pollute the
school environment. As it was defined earlier by our prime minister, junk food is usually
prepared in wraps or in the form of packages. This in fact leads to serious environmental
problem. Why is it so? According to a survey conducted by Guardian News in Britain, junk
food wrappers are the most frequently seen rubbish disposed in more than 50% of UKs cities
and town. In addition, the survey further proved that Cadbury, Wrigley, Coca-Cola, Mars were
the top few brands of litter on a street. As we all know, Cadbury produces chocolate, Wrigley
famous for its chewing gum, Coca-Cola of course is its carbonated drinks and Mars is well-
known for chocolate bars. All of these are well-known brands for junk food. Hence, we from
the government side believes junk food should be banned from schools because junk food
wrappers pollute the school environment. It makes the school a dirty and unhealthy place for
learning.

This is especially true in schools because students tend to litter rubbish anywhere they
like. When students buy and consume junk food, they often buy more than one packets. For
example, averagely one student will buy three to four packets of crackers and at least one
canned carbonated drink from the canteen. These junk food are packed in separate wrappers
and students always throw the wrappers as they wished all around the school compound. It is
hard for the school or the teachers to control this situation because of the uncountable amount
of wrappers being disposed by the students in the school. It is even worse for junk food such
as candies because candy wrappers are so small that students can just dispose them off without
being caught.

To make matter worse, when all these rubbish are being blown into the drain and
towards the sewage system, they will clog up the waterways and pollute the rivers and sea. All
these junk food wrappers will end up contaminate our water systems with chemicals and toxins.
Junk food wrappers are usually made from plastic which cannot be decomposed. Animals may
be tangled by them or even stuck inside cans. If we ban junk food from schools and cook food
are encouraged to be consumed, reusable food containers can be used instead. Therefore, junk
food should be banned from schools not just to promote better health habits but to save our
environment.

Our fifth point for todays motion is banning junk food is a way to educate students
about the detrimental effects of junk food. Malaysia, known as Asias fattest country,
recorded an increase in its obesity rate last year, with the latest statistics showing that almost
18 percent of the country, or more than five million people, can be classed as obese. A further
30 percent are overweight, as reported by the National Health and Morbidity Survey. Hence, it
is clear enough that it is time for us to put more emphasis on health before it is too late.

Dr. Tee E. Siong, the president of the Malaysia Nutrition Society, said the key to getting
Malaysians to slim down is through education. He further claimed that, "If we educate the 10-
year-olds and the 11-year-olds now, they will become adults later on and 20 years later they
will be healthier adults. Less obese, less overweight and healthier Malaysians." In order to do
so, the school plays a very significant role in educating our younger generation. Students may
not be mature enough to be able to think rationally. If students are given the opportunity to buy
healthy food or junk food from the canteen, it is likely that many students would choose junk
food over healthier food. By selling junk food in schools, we are tempting the students to eat
unhealthily and also promoting this health negligence. On the other hand, by banning junk food
from schools, we are sending this message to our students that junk food is unhealthy and we
should avoid eating them. Therefore, it is obvious that junk food should be banned from schools
as a way to educate students. With that, I end my speech. Thank you.