Environmental News Network - Snack Tax May Be More Effective Than a Sugary Drink Tax to Tackle Obesity

Details: By University of Oxford; 06.Sep

Taxing high sugar snacks such as biscuits, cakes, and sweets might be more effective at reducing obesity levels than increasing the price of sugar sweetened drinks, suggests a study published by The BMJ.

Julie Swatson

Taxing high sugar snacks such as biscuits, cakes, and sweets might be more effective at reducing obesity levels than increasing the price of sugar sweetened drinks, suggests a study published by The BMJ.

The researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Exeter and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine say this option 'is worthy of further research and consideration as part of an integrated approach to tackling obesity.'

Obesity rates are increasing across the world. In the UK, obesity is estimated to affect around 1 in every 4 adults and around 1 in every 5 children aged 10 to 11, with higher rates among those living in more deprived areas.

The use of taxes to lower sugar and energy intake have mainly focused on sugar sweetened drinks. But in the UK, high sugar snacks, such as biscuits, cakes, chocolates and sweets make up more free sugar and energy intake than sugary drinks.

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Snack Tax May Be More Effective Than a Sugary Drink Tax to Tackle Obesity