NHS England plans new levy on sugary drinks sold in hospitals

A new levy on sugary drinks sold on NHS premises is being considered as a means of reducing sales of these unhealthy items.

NHS England has announced plans to charge a fee for any sale of sugar-sweetened beverages in hospitals and other NHS properties, with this levy to complement the government's proposed sugar tax.

The scheme is subject to a consultation, but would begin sooner – in 2017 – if it went ahead. The charge would cover the full range of sugar-sweetened drinks, including fruit juices, sweetened milk-based drinks and sweetened coffees.

Proceeds would be used directly to fund expanded local staff health and wellbeing programmes or selected patient charities. An outright ban on the sale of certain products on NHS premises is also being considered.

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: "By ploughing the proceeds of any vendor fees back into staff health and patient charities, these proposals are a genuine win/win opportunity to both improve health and cut future illness cost burdens for the NHS."

A recent survey found obesity to be the most significant self-reported health problem amongst NHS staff, with nearly 700,000 NHS staff estimated to be overweight or obese. This move could help to address this problem.

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