19 April 2012
A tax on soft drinks is not the solution
Imposing a tax on soft drinks is not the solution that its
proponents suppose. Obesity arises from an excess of
calories in the diet over calories expended in exercise, and to
deal with this means to promote active lifestyles and balanced
diets, not to single out individual types of food or drink.
Soft drinks provide only 3 per cent of the calories in the average
diet and, while the incidence of obesity is rising, the consumption
of calorific soft drinks is not.
A tax on food would not only be ineffective,
but it would also be regressive – falling disproportionately on
poorer people – and it would also be intrusive. Why should
the government impose a new tax burden on people who are living
healthy lives and have no need to change their diets?
Policies on obesity need to be targeted at
those who need help, and not used to punish people’s everyday
choices and little pleasures.
ends
For further information please contact
Richard Laming
Media Director
British Soft Drinks Association
Tel: 020 7400 3707 / 07879 654555
Email: rlaming@britishsoftdrinks.com
Website: http://www.britishsoftdrinks.com/
Notes to editors
1. The British Soft Drinks Association
represents the interests of producers and manufacturers of soft
drinks including carbonated drinks, still and dilutable drinks,
fruit juices and bottled water. BSDA members are responsible for
the vast majority of products on the British soft drinks
market.