The UK Sugar Tax.

B

boozercruiser

Senior Member
Location
Rhos On Sea. North Wales. UK.
Here in the United Kingdom our Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has just introduced a Sugar Tax in his budget on all sugary drinks. This is supposedly to help our, particularly children's health by reducing intake down to the tummy.
Me being a bit of a cynic, I think it's just another tax to help him balance the books.
However, I do think that there is some merit in placing more taxes on sugary drinks and food.
But I was wondering what my friends in America and other countries think about this measure?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...you-need-to-know-about-the-levy-a6935336.html

Q | Is the sugar levy really a ‘tax’? Does it mean soft drinks will cost more?
A | Probably. The Government has targeted the levy at drinks companies, not consumers. It wants manufacturers to take it as an incentive to cut the amount of sugar in drinks – but there is nothing to stop companies simply raising their prices to pay for it – in fact the Office for Budget Responsibility expects them to do just that.
 

I'm in America and you know what it reminds me of! The Sugar Act of 1764. First thing I thought -- uh-oh, Parliament's at it again! ;)

Actually I don't have a huge problem with the idea of this. Tax on tobacco, tax on liquor, why not a tax on sugar? It can kill.
 
Guitarist said:
I'm in America and you know what it reminds me of! The Sugar Act of 1764. First thing I thought -- uh-oh, Parliament's at it again! ;)

Actually I don't have a huge problem with the idea of this. Tax on tobacco, tax on liquor, why not a tax on sugar? It can kill.
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Thank you Guitarist.
It can kill sums this up really.
I am so glad I weaned myself off spoonfuls of sugar in my tea, and sugary drinks also, when I was around 20 years of age.
I have never smoked.
I confess to enjoying a beer or two every day though, but we in the UK are taxed on that already of course.
 

A tax on soft drinks would be Fine...IMO. I would especially like to see a tax on Diet Soda's. More and more studies are indicating that these artificial sweeteners are a major contributor to the growing problems with Obesity...in that they "trick" the brain into wanting more and more. I especially avoid Anything what has Aspartame as one of its ingredients....I use that stuff (Nutra Sweet), in the Summer to kill ants around the house and yard. I Sure as He## won't put Ant poison into my body.
 
I don't ingest artificial sweeteners. I do try to cut back on sugar -- don't succeed very well.

This discussion interests me -- a friend of mine's daughter is "addicted" to diet soft drinks and is quite overweight; I just sent her a link to an article about how artificial sweeteners can be fattening, as you describe, Don M.
 
Butterfly said:
I object to the government injecting itself into people's personal decisions about what to eat and drink.
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I never agree with Osborne. Yet the government - the NHS - has stretched its budgets to have to pay for self-induced illnesses that come from obesity (smoking, alcohol).

I doubt this will help much though. There would have to be a massive tax placed on sugary foods to keep people from buying them. And it isn't just sugar making people obese. Take a trip to a chippy.
 
On TV recently, using certain artificial sweeteners was demonstrated to cause elevated blood glucose levels. I must have a look back to see which ones were 'safe' to use. If a 'sugar tax' increased the consumption of 'Diet' drinks, this could just substiture one problem for another.
 
I have lemonade by my bed for when I wake up thirsty in the hight.

Why should I pay tax on that, out of a small fixed pension, because parents can't control their kids' diet?
 
boozercruiser said:
Here in the United Kingdom our Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has just introduced a Sugar Tax in his budget on all sugary drinks. This is supposedly to help our, particularly children's health by reducing intake down to the tummy.
Me being a bit of a cynic, I think it's just another tax to help him balance the books.
However, I do think that there is some merit in placing more taxes on sugary drinks and food.
But I was wondering what my friends in America and other countries think about this measure?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...you-need-to-know-about-the-levy-a6935336.html

Q | Is the sugar levy really a ‘tax’? Does it mean soft drinks will cost more?
A | Probably. The Government has targeted the levy at drinks companies, not consumers. It wants manufacturers to take it as an incentive to cut the amount of sugar in drinks – but there is nothing to stop companies simply raising their prices to pay for it – in fact the Office for Budget Responsibility expects them to do just that.
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This is an excellent idea, hopefully sweets and sugary drinks will be so expensive they are an occasional treat. So many kids are obese these days, and may not outlive their parents. My grandchildren are not permitted to drink anything but milk or water, and sweets are limited to high days and holidays, it doesn't seem to bother them.
 
oohjarwatsit said:
This is an excellent idea, hopefully sweets and sugary drinks will be so expensive they are an occasional treat. So many kids are obese these days, and may not outlive their parents. My grandchildren are not permitted to drink anything but milk or water, and sweets are limited to high days and holidays, it doesn't seem to bother them.
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The tax is only on drinks though, not sweets.
 
Ameriscot said:
The tax is only on drinks though, not sweets.
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I didn't know that! :p
But Annie, please write to that nice Mr. Osborne and ask him to please make sure that he includes sweeties.
I mean, the extra cash this brings in can be put in the...

'Subsidise Scotland' Piggy Bank Jar!!!:playful::eek:nthego:
evil-laugh-smiley-emoticon.gif
 
boozercruiser said:
I didn't know that! :p
But Annie, please write to that nice Mr. Osborne and ask him to please make sure that he includes sweeties.
I mean, the extra cash this brings in can be put in the...

'Subsidise Scotland' Piggy Bank Jar!!!:playful::eek:nthego:
evil-laugh-smiley-emoticon.gif
Click to expand...

Osborne is a d*ck. I think you are confused. Scotland subsidises England. Whisky, oil, babysitting those missiles. :playful:

Careful or I'll tell everyone about sheep and Welshmen.
 
The only good thing I can say is that I'm not really affected by the budget. Another few pounds that I'm not giving to the taxman, no further tax on fuel or alcohol, but nothing to give me much cheer either. I dread to think how much worse the country would be under 'commie' Corbyn or the SNP without the oil revenue.
 
A quick look at a review of the 'Trust me I'm a doctor' episode that examined the effect of artificial sweeteners on blood glucose levels. In the tests, "Stevia" was the only one that did not raise blood glucose. This appeared to mostly affect people with specific gut bacteria, but since it was difficult to determine this, the advice was to avoid sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartine.
 
boozercruiser said:
I give in. :eek:nthego:
Please don't tell anyone about THAT.:eek:
Or I will never be able to go out in the middle of the night in my big rubber wellies ever again!
evil-laugh-smiley-emoticon.gif
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And just why ARE you out in the middle of the night in your wellies?? Hmmmm

(actually my maiden name is Welsh but since I'm female you can't make jokes about it).
 
Ameriscot said:
And just why ARE you out in the middle of the night in your wellies?? Hmmmm

(actually my maiden name is Welsh but since I'm female you can't make jokes about it).
Click to expand...

Don't you believe it! There are many variations on a theme of Welsh girls and leeks! Also lock forwards, props, hookers and stand offs!
 
The Australian Goverment is talking about the sugar tax as we speak ..It is being pushed by Jamie Oliver ..and I'm all for it When I was digonised with diabetes I was horrified by the amount of sugar in simple things like sauce ..Yes I know the tax is not about the amount of sugar in a product but hopefully it will lead to manufactures putting less sugar in soups ,sauces ect ..to give low sugar users a choice at the supermarket ..as far as cool drinks go I don't buy or drink them ..if I want a fizzy drink I buy soda water ( the lowest sodium content ) and I add fresh lemon juice to flavour ..no sugar
 

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