Brits back calls to extend sugar tax

Data collected by the Oral Health Foundation as part of National Smile Month, shows that 61% of Brits support an expansion of the current sugar tax or Soft Drinks Industry Levy as it is known.

Milkshakes, fruit juices, smoothies and alcoholic mixers, which are exempt under the current sugar tax, all received equal backing as possible routes for an extension.

A previous report looking into some of the drinks exempt from the sugar tax found that half contain a child’s entire recommended daily sugar intake, which is almost 19g or nearly five teaspoons.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, believes the Soft Drinks Industry Levy has had a positive impact on the nation’s health and supports calls to extend the sugar tax further.