The news has been broadly welcomed by health campaigners. Chris Askew, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: “It is really promising news that the Government has announced a tax on the soft drinks industry. We have been campaigning for this measure as we are all consuming too much sugar.
“However, this tax should not be absorbed by the soft drinks industry. Prices need to change, otherwise there will be no impact on the health of nation. But manufacturers and consumers could avoid the tax altogether by reducing the amount of sugar in their products.” This last point is supported by a ComRes poll commissioned by Diabetes UK in January, which showed that 43% of people said they would buy fewer soft drinks if prices rose by 20%.
Commenting in the New Scientist, Tam Fry, Spokesperson for the National Obesity Forum, said: “Although the money raised from the levies will be hugely welcomed by the sports staff in primary schools to whom it will be diverted, it is the reduction in sugar consumption that will determine whether or not the proposal is a success.”
One word of warning from health campaigners, however, concerns people with type 1 diabetes. Sarah Johnson, Director of Policy and Communication at JDRF, said that some people with type 1 diabetes have responded negatively to the sugar levy. She added: “JDRF recognises the myriad pressures faced by the NHS and is generally supportive of measures to increase public health.
“However, we appreciate concerns that a sugar tax might add to the burden of type 1 diabetes, where fast-acting sugary drinks or snacks are a vital tool for combating hypoglycaemia.
“We would welcome a constructive dialogue with the Government about how to mitigate the impact of the sugar tax before it is imposed in two years’ time.”
