Sugar Tax Cuts Consumption
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- Published: Monday, 29 July 2024 09:34
- Written by Guy Tuggle
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Imposed in 2018, the sugar tax levied on soft drinks has spearheaded a considerable reduction in the amount of sugar British people consume.
Research conducted by the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine reveals that adults are consuming 10.9 grams less sugar a day. Children have chalked up a 4.8 grams reduction.
The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) was announced in 2016 and went live in April 2018. It added 24p to the cost of a litre of drinks with a high sugar content and 18p to those containing less sugar.
At the time of its introduction, it was heavily criticised by right wing politicians who denounced it as a ’nanny state’ tax on people’s freedom to choose.
Unsweetened drinks like Cola-Zero do not attract the tax and are consequently cheaper to buy.
Researchers analysed sugar trends over time, studying data from 7,999 adults and 7,656 children collated between 2008 to 2019.
Most of the recorded reduction in daily sugar intake is attributable to reduction in the consumption of sugary drinks, however, the public is still not meeting UK or Word Health Organisation guidelines.
A further study on sugar consumption, published this week by the Oral Health Foundation (OHF), suggests there is no room for complacency in the war against excessive sugar consumption.
It reveals that 84% of the public consume at least one sugary snack per day with 79% confessing to consuming up to three such snacks a day.
Sugar is a major cause of dental caries, but the product is also heavily implicated in obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease which can lead to premature death.
Dr Nigel Carter Chief Executive of the OHF said: ‘Around one in three adults in the UK suffers from tooth decay, with sugar being the cause. We are in dire need of a stronger approach to take on the sugar industry and to promote a healthier, sugar-conscious society.’
The OHF is calling for stricter controls on sugar being added to processed foods, extending the scope of the sugar tax to include a wider range of sweetened food and drinks plus some ’decisive action’ on sugar based advertising.
The recent change in government bodes well for the OHF’s shopping list. A Labour Health Secretary will find it far easier than a Conservative one to take on the unhealthy food lobby, whilst Chancellor Rachel Reeves will be only too willing to raise additional taxes by targeting unhealthy behaviours and thus generate additional funds for the NHS.
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