According to a report just released (September 2024) into Ireland was the 36th country to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. There are apparently 108 countries in total known to have introduced a tax of some similar sort on sugar-sweetened beverages, New Zealand isn't among them. The introduction of the tax in Ireland in 2018 was before the World Health Organisation (WHO) European Regional Obesity Report (June 2022) which recommended a range of policy options for obesity action, including reducing sugar consumption through effective taxation on Sugar Sweetened Beverages. The press release from the Minister for Health for Ireland, Stephen Donnelly, highlights POSITIVE impacts, see here. A PDF of the report at time of release is attached for download if more detail is required. Now we all know that sugar tax isn't the only way to go to address growing lifestyle related health issues, but it's certainly part of the picture. Reducing sugar, particularly that so prevalent in soft-drinks was highlighted by Gerhard Sundborn of FIZZ at our recent Summit (pictured). If this is a topic that interests you, don't miss the highly anticipated FIZZ symposium which is on Friday 22 November! Register here.
