Budget 2017: ‘Sugar tax will not tackle obesity rates’

Imposing a tax on sugar- sweetened drinks will not impact on obesity rates, but it will affect the consumer, the Irish Beverage Council claimed.

Director Kevin McPartlan said the tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, to be introduced in April 2018, will be a “stealth tax dressed up as a public health issue”.

But the Irish Heart Foundation’s head of advocacy, Chris Macey, said postponing the tax was a bitter disappointment. He said it was a key commitment in the national obesity strategy.