UK sugar tax good for revenue, bad for obesity reduction

The UK is introducing a sugar tax:

HOW WILL THE SUGAR LEVY WORK?

Britain’s sugar-levy will begin in 2018 which the government hopes will give manufacturers time to reduce the amount of sugar in their drinks. 

Drinks will more than 8 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres will be taxed at a higher rate than drinks with less than 5 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres. 

“Pure fruit juices” and milkshakes will not be subject to the sugar-levy. 

ISN’T THAT UNFAIR?

Expect the soft-drink industry to argue this point given thickshakes, milkshakes, smoothies and juices can all contain a lot of sugar but won’t be taxed under this measure.

This will raise the Government a lot of money but I guarantee it will not reduce obesity in any way. Calories come from multiple sources, and a tax on a source which in NZ is just 1.5% of average calories consumed will achieve nothing in terms of reducing obesity.