Do you support the introduction of a Sugar Tax?

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Do you support the introduction of a sugar tax?

It is back in the news today after sources said that it is almost certainly going to be included in the budget.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar recently revealed that he wanted to see a sugar tax on fizzy drinks and sweets.

Speaking about the issue at the recent Fine Gael think in he said he has been a long time supporter of the sugar tax and he wants to see it introduced but he is not in a position to go into details.

Studies have shown that one in four Irish children are overweight while the country has the worst obesity rates in Europe.

Today I want to know if you would be happy to see a sugar tax in the budget.

The rate of tax has not yet been decided and could range from 1c to 20c per 330 ml can. The annual yield would be approximately €8.4 million for a 1 cent increase, and would be around €168.7 million for a 20 cent increase.

Today I want to know if you think a sugar tax is necessary.

If the companies are forced to pay more tax, the price will go up for consumers.

Do you agree with that if it means the rate of childhood obesity may go down?

They have raised the price of cigarettes over the years, it’s now €11 for 20 smokes, but it hasn’t stopped most people from smoking. The budget could see cigarettes increased to €11.50 in this year’s budget also.

Should the rest of us suffer because someone can’t control their weight or the weight of their children?

The obesity figures are pretty scary in this country. But should the parents be targeted instead of sugary drinks?

Or maybe you think that some parents simply don’t have nutritional education and that it’s not their fault.

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland called for a 20% tax on sugary drinks but as I said the rate of tax hasn’t been decided yet.

I like having a can of coke. I have coke in moderation. Why should I suffer financially because someone drinks it like water?

Maybe you think it’s a step needed to reduce the growing number of Irish children who are obese.

I want to know what you think –

Do you support the introduction of a sugar tax?

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