Sugary drinks tax ‘can reduce burden of obesity’

The growing problem of obesity in the UK could be combated with the aid of a tax on sugary drinks, according to new research.

Analysis carried out by the universities of Oxford and Reading has revealed that a 20 percent tax on sugar-sweetened drinks would reduce the number of UK adults who are obese by 180,000, while cutting the number of overweight people by 285,000.

This effect is relatively modest, but could make a significant difference due to the fact it would primarily affect younger people between the ages of 16 and 29.

Around 276 million pounds would be generated by the tax on an annual basis, while reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks by around 15 percent.

The authors noted that revenue from such a tax "could be used to increase NHS funding during a period of budget restrictions or to subsidise foods with health benefits, such as fruit and vegetables".

NHS figures show that just over one-quarter of all adults in England were obese in 2012, a proportion that is expected to increase in the coming years.