An Auckland surgeon is applauding renewed plans from the government to combat growing rates of diabetes.

New figures show amputations from the illness hit a record high of more than a thousand last year.

Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare wants a quit-smoking-style campaign to combat diabetes and is suggesting a similar project for diabetes, which could include a sugar tax or warning labels.

Dr Richard Babor told Simon and Phil it's a move in the right direction, rather than nonsense that people just need more self control. 

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