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'Celebrate' sugary drinks tax
17/03/16 .
News
The Obesity Health Alliance has welcomed the announcement in yesterday's Budget of a tax on soft drinks.
The OHA, a coalition of 30 national health charities, medical colleges and campaign groups including the Men's Health Forum, called the chancellor's announcement 'a moment to celebrate'.
The statement went on to say:
We’ve been campaigning for a tax on sugar sweetened drinks, amongst other measures, to be part of the childhood obesity strategy so we’re delighted that the Chancellor has brought this measure forward. High sugar consumption is contributing to the obesity crisis, which has a high cost both to people’s health and the public purse.
Almost two thirds of adults and a third of children in the UK are overweight or obese, which are potent risk factors for serious health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, a range of cancers and stroke, all of which can have a complex relationship with mental health.
We’re pleased that the Government has listened to the evidence from Public Health England and public support for a tax on sugar sweetened drinks to curb the rising tide of obesity.
The Alliance has also called for further measures to deal with the obesity crisis, including restrictions on marketing junk food to children and reformulation of food to reduce levels of salt, fat and sugar.
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