Britain on Thursday launched a strategy aimed at curbing childhood obesity by taxing companies which sell sugar-laced soft drinks and investing that money in programs to encourage physical activity and balanced diets for school children. Urging food and drinks firms to act swiftly to cut sugar in their products, the government said nearly a third of children aged 2 to 15 in Britain are already overweight or obese. "The soft drinks industry levy is an important step forward in the fight to halt our obesity crisis and create a Britain fit for the future." In opting for a sugar tax, Britain joins Belgium, France, Hungary and Mexico, all of which have imposed some form of tax on drinks with added sugar. Britain's plans will see a levy applied to drinks with a total sugar content above 5 grams per 100 ml, with a higher band for even more sugary drinks.

Source: Fox News August 18, 2016 12:00 UTC