Soft drinks manufacturers, pubs, convenience stores and off licences have joined forces to fight a planned sugar tax before the launch of a government consultation. Former chancellor George Osborne announced plans for a levy on drinks containing more than 5g of sugar per 100ml in his March budget. However, sugary drinks’ link to obesity have been well documented with evidence suggesting they account for 29% of 11- to 18-year-olds’ daily sugar intake. The charity Action on Sugar has said the tax will have an impact on intake because people respond to price. The government recently delayed the publication of its childhood obesity strategy, initially planned to be launched last year, until this autumn.

Source: The Guardian August 15, 2016 23:01 UTC