Health group calls for 10% tax on sugary drinks

Calls are being made for a 10% tax to be placed on all sugar-sweetened drinks.

According to the Irish Heart Foundation, such a levy would be easy to implement, and would significantly reduce the obesity epidemic in Ireland.

One in three Irish adults are overweight, while one in four is obese.

Also 15% of two to four-year olds are regarded as overweight.

Health and promotion manager with the Irish Heart Foundation Maureen Mulvihill said this tax should be imposed on fizzy drinks.

Ms Mulvihill said: "We are talking about a product that has little or no nutritional value, packed full of calories.

"In reality we are seeing high numbers of children, and indeed adults, being regular consumers.

"Irish children, on average, we are seeing them consume about one-and-a-half glasses of sugary, fizzy drinks every day. Because that is an average figure, that means that some consumers are drinking more."