A controversial tax on sugary drinks has been introduced in the UK – what do the public think?
The government has collected more than £1 billion in revenue from a sugar tax that was introduced in April 2018.
The sum was slightly ahead of projections and is soon to include confectionary and milkshakes, reports Business Day.
The levy means customers now pay between 18 and 24p more for their sugar fix, depending on how much sugar their drink contains.
The new tax has seen 50% of manufacturers reduce the sugar content of their drinks to avoid pushing prices up.
Obesity in children is on the rise, and with one third of children overweight by the age of 11, the tax aims to tackle the effects of sugar on young people head on.
What do you think about the introduction of a sugar tax on soft drinks in the UK?
Lee Thomas, 27, aircraft engineer, Caerphilly
“Doesn’t bother me in the slightest.”
Tracey Deacy, 34, unemployed, Cardiff
“It’s a bit too much really, because you’re obviously paying for your drinks already so putting more on is just going to stop you having more drinks.”
Tessa Brown, 38, volunteer, Cardiff
“I think in principal it’s a good idea but I don’t think it will solve the problem of overuse of fizzy drinks. So I think it only really tackles an element of the problem.”
Stefan Paiu, 23, computer scientist, Romania
“I would prefer all of them [soft drinks] to be the same price. But at the same time I kind of agree, so speaking objectively, yeah, overall I agree with the sugar tax.”
Victoria Smith, 22, assistant architect, Glastonbury
“I do think it’s really important to discourage people from eating and drinking things with lots of sugar in. But I worry that taxes like these will have an impact on businesses selling their products in the UK.”
Harry McBarnet, 18, unemployed, Cardiff
“It’s good for kids but it’s bad for me!”
