50% of public support tax on sugary drinks

The public is split on whether it can stomach a tax to help cut the country’s sugar addiction — despite nine in 10 people accepting the move is key to winning Ireland’s obesity battle.

The situation is outlined in a survey by the Irish Heart Foundation, which has called for a 20% tax on sugary drinks as part of next year’s budget.

Details revealed by the advocacy group show that, out of 1,008 people surveyed in recent weeks, 52% are in favour of imposing a tax on sugary soft drinks, compared to 46% who are opposed to any extra hit on their household budget.

The divide comes despite the fact 87% of respondents said they were aware of the significant impact of sugary drinks on Ireland’s obesity levels — meaning just over one in three are putting finances before their own health.

The Irish Heart Foundation’s head of advocacy, Chris Macey, said introducing a 20% tax on sugary drinks would help to cut Ireland’s obesity levels by almost 22,000 people.

Despite the balance between those in favour of the move and those against it, he said the survey shows there is “clearly” support for the new policy.

“I think to be fair it’s extraordinary that after the universal social charge and water charge, and that people are sick to the back teeth of new taxes, we still have a majority in favour of this measure,” said Mr Macey.

Calling for “political will” from the Coalition and opposition parties on the issue, Mr Macey said a 20% tax on sugary drinks would bring in an estimated €60m to the exchequer in addition to improving people’s health.

He added that, in addition to any potential new tax, fruit and vegetables should also be sold at subsidised rates, while a Children’s Health Fund should be created to “promote good nutrition through education and skills, as well as providing healthier meals in schools”.

Figures published by respected international medical journal The Lancet last month show 26.5% of Irish girls and 16% of Irish males under the age of 20 — a key consumer group of sugary drinks — are either overweight or obese.

The same study said two in every three Irish men over the age of 20 are considered overweight or obese, as are more than half of Irish women.

The child and adult rates are above the western European averages of 24.2% and 47.6% respectively.

Health Minister James Reilly has attempted to introduce policies to improve general public health since coming to office in 2011 by seeking to impose calorie counts on restaurants.

Sugar levels

- 355ml can of Coca Cola: 39g of sugar (0.11g per ml), or 9.5 teaspoons;

- 250ml can of Red Bull: 27g of sugar (0.11g per ml), or 6.5 tsp;

- 500ml bottle of Ribena: 70g of sugar (0.14g per ml), or 16 tsp;

- 380ml bottle of Lucozade: 64g of sugar (0.17g per ml), or 15 tsp.