Why only a tax on soft drinks? - Sugar tax is very welcome

THE Government has belatedly decided to tax sugar- sweetened drinks. 

This tax, aimed at fighting obesity, will not, however, be introduced for two years. It is, nevertheless, very welcome. If you accept that sugar is the new tobacco, it is likely there was considerable industry opposition to this positive move and that our politicians and officials had to endure myriad “briefings” from the sector’s hired guns.

This tax was announced as the World Health Organisation reiterated its plea that all countries introduce a levy that would curtail consumption of sugary drinks which have been identified as a driving force in the world’s frightening obesity epidemic, especially among children and less well-off families. Obesity rates more than doubled between 1980 and 2014, with 11% of men and 15% of women classified as obese — more than 500m people according to the WHO.