Don’t go so hard on the price of soft drinks

A sugar tax on soft drinks would barely affect obesity levels in this country, but would be another hit for consumers’ pockets, writes Kevin McPartlan, director of Irish Beverage Council

AS POLITICAL parties struggle to form a government, the possible introduction of a sugar tax has resurfaced. It is hardly surprising; politicians are desperately looking for easy wins, simple solutions to the tricky problems everyone can identify with. Of course easy wins are rarely as they seem.

Those calling on the government to impose additional taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages contend that this will reduce obesity levels and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. But they ignore one critical fact; there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that this “sugar tax” is effective in either regard.