ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Health

UK pushes forth with sugar tax

The United Kingdom has announced drafts for a sugar tax set to begin in April 2018, addressing the country's growing obesity problems.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
December 12, 2016
in Health, News, Nutrition
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

The United Kingdom has announced drafts for a sugar tax set to begin in April 2018, addressing the country’s growing obesity problems.

Image via: Public Domain.

The tax is set to work in two different ways: a smaller tax for soft drinks with more than 5-8 grams of sugar per 100ml and a bigger one for drinks with more than 8g per 100ml. However, pure fruit juices, sugary milkshake, and yogurt drinks will be excluded from the tax though authorities stress that people should keep consumption to under 150 ml / day.

The move is supported by researchers, who argue that this is a much-needed step to limit obesity – especially teenage obesity. The move will also combat diabetes and heart diseases. Dr Max Davie, of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said:

“We are very pleased to see government moving forward with this draft legislation. The sugary drinks that will be affected by this tax have no nutritional benefit and often contain levels of sugar that are above a child’s daily recommended limit. These drinks are a major contributor to the high sugar intakes of children, particularly teenagers, and we are in no doubt that they are, in part, contributing to this country’s obesity crisis.”

Diabetes is a growing health concern in many developed and developing countries around the world, with 1.5 million deaths directly due to diabetes in 2012 alone. All sugary foods can threaten health, but sugary drinks are particularly dangerous. Unlike sugar from food, the sugar from drinks enters the body quickly, which can overload the liver and pancreas. France was one of the first countries to introduce a targeted sugar tax on soft drinks in 2012, with a similar measure being announced in Mexico in 2013.

Supporters of the tax cite tobacco taxes which are similar in nature and have been wildly successful in most cases. Cancer Research UK estimates a 20% tax on sugary drinks could prevent 3.7 million cases of obesity over the next decade and the World Health organization also backs the tax up, stating that the government could use the tax money to fund subsidies for healthy fruits and vegetables. Worldwide, it’s estimated that sugary drinks alone kill 180,000 adults worldwide.

But of course, the industry negates this. Gavin Partington, of the British Soft Drinks Association, said:

“There is no evidence worldwide that taxes of this sort reduce obesity, and it is ironic that soft drinks are being singled out for tax when we’ve led the way in reducing sugar intake, down over 17% since 2012.”

 

RelatedPosts

UK fails to report on positive COVID-19 cases due to glitch
“Extinct” elms discovered doing just fine in the Queen’s gardens, Edinburgh
UK set to trial its first universal basic income experiment in Hull
Over a hundred ancient settlements found beyond Hadrian’s wall in northern UK
Tags: britainsugar taxuk

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

History

A Forgotten 200-Year-Old Book Bound in a Murderer’s Skin Was Just Found in a Museum Office

byTibi Puiu
3 weeks ago
Future

UK Is Testing a “Murder Prediction” tool—and It’s Seriously Alarming

byMihai Andrei
4 weeks ago
Health

The Childhood Obesity Epidemic Is Out of Control: 1 in 3 kids will be overweight or obese by 2050

byAlexandra Gerea
2 months ago
Archaeology

Cave Bones in Britain Point to a 4,000-Year-Old Massacre So Brutal It May Have Included Cannibalism

byTibi Puiu
3 months ago

Recent news

CERN Creates Gold from Lead and There’s No Magic, Just Physics

May 9, 2025

A New AI Tool Can Recreate Your Face Using Nothing But Your DNA

May 9, 2025

How Some Flowers Evolved the Grossest Stench — and Why Flies Love It

May 9, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.