Key points from article :
Sugary drinks are recognised as a major contributor to obesity.
The WHO has recommended that taxes are used to limit their consumption.
In April 2018, the UK Government introduced Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) to help tackle childhood obesity.
Applied a two-tiered tax to all soft drinks containing 5 grams or more of added sugar.
There was a weekly reduction of 30 grams per household in sugar purchased from soft drinks.
Equivalent to a reduction in sugar consumption of 12.5 grams per person per week.
Companies lowering the sugar concentration and consumers switching to lower sugar alternatives.
‘..changes in industry and consumer behaviour has demonstrated that taxation of food and drinks can lead to positive nutritional outcomes," - Peter Scarborough, associate professor at NDPH.
Sugar consumption could be reduced further by extending the tax to include confectionery and other high sugar foods.
Study by NDPH published in the journal BMJ.
