10% tax on junk food to tackle obesity

A 10% tax on fizzy drinks, sweets, biscuits, crisps, and chocolate is to be recommended to the health minister as a way of tackling the country’s soaring obesity problem.

In Ireland, 61% of adults and 22% of 5- to 12-year-olds are overweight or obese, and obesity-related health problems are costing the economy on the island of Ireland €1.6bn a year.

The tax would target any sweet and sugary non-essential foods that have no nutritional value and would be seen by experts as a “wake-up call” to people consuming too many of these foods. Doctors also believe the tax would “start a conversation” about nutrition, healthy diet, and sugar-laden foods.