20% tax hike on sugary drinks

Doctors are calling for a 20% tax hike on sugary drinks in an attempt to tackle Ireland’s obesity problem.

With one in four Irish schoolchildren classified as overweight or obese, the Royal College of Physicians is also asking for a review of how these drinks are promoted.

 

Professor Donal O’Shea says: “There is widespread agreement among health professionals, now backed by a convincing body of evidence, that sugar-sweetened drinks, including sports drinks, and their pattern of consumption are significant factors in weight gain and obesity, especially among children.

 

“Sports personalities and organisations are often used by industry to market their sports drinks. This is certainly something that I believe should be discouraged in the future.”

 

What do you think? Do you allow your chidren to have sugary drinks? Do you think a tax hike on these drinks would help tackle obesity?