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Sugary drink taxes and other policy restrictions on sugary drinks are growing in popularity across the globe to help reduce sugar intake in order to decrease rising obesity levels.
Now British Chancellor Philip Hammond announced a two-tier levy of 18 pounds on drinks that have five grams of sugar per 100ml and the higher 24-pound rate on those with more than eight grams per 100ml.
The British Soft Drinks Association opposes the tax, but the Obesity Health Alliance supports the tax.
The tax set to be implemented starting in April 2018 doesn’t include milk or pure fruit juice drinks but does include some alcoholic drinks.
A spokeswoman from the Obesity Health Alliance told local news Sunderland Echo, “This is a significant step in the battle against obesity and the Government should be applauded for its commitment to seeing it through.”
The impressions on big food and beverage companies in the UK are already starting to make a mark as many products that are high in sugar are being reformulated to reduce sugar in products and avoid the tax.
Jenny Rosborough, campaign manager for Action on Sugar encouraged all manufacturers to reformulate to avoid the levy and mentioned that many manufacturers have already started to reduce sugar to less than 5% across popular brands.
With estimations in the millions from the tax, funding for the Department for Education is expected to garner around 1 billion pounds for school sports and healthy living programs.
By The Numbers
74
percent
of Latino kids have had a sugary drink by age 2 (vs. 45% of white kids)
