The "sugar Tax" - Will It Work?

[10ClarionSt]

I don't think so. People are fond of their little luxuries, and it seems a bit silly to me to expect youngsters to instantly stop buying fizzy drinks just because they've increased the price slightly. It's just a money making idea for someone. It's not the same as, say, anti-smoking, where people could say things like it makes your clothes stink, or the myth about passive smoking, things like that. So it aint gonna work folks! Besides, how do you feel about this type of "nannyism"? "We'll tell you what you should be eating and drinking". Not to mention exercise and lifestyle.

[ummmm]

I don't think so.

[rockyracoon]

I don't think it will work either. People who like the taste of the drinks (like myself) will carry on regardless. What I object to is the hidden sugars in food, it's added to so much and all adds up. At least when you buy a can of coke, you know that the main ingredient is sugar.

[rockyracoon]

That being said, though; something needs to be done, as the diabetes problem is very bad.

[jim360]

It's already worked, to an extent: apparently a great many companies have reduced the sugar content of products that would otherwise have been affected by the tax.

[pastafreak]

I wish it would work, but I doubt it will. It's the addition of sugar to so many processed foods that has fueled the current obesity crisis. It's even added to cheese for goodness sake! It would do more good if supermarkets and manufacturers stopped or reduced added sugar.

[woofgang]

I think its going to mess up the profits of the companies who have now put sweetener in all their products (eg schweppes mixers, lucozade, old jamaica ginger beer) and boost the profits of companies such as Bottle Green, Fever Tree and Belvoir who make products with no artificial anything. Belvoir, in particular make lovely "light" drinks with no sweetener and less sugar. Apart from the nannyism of it, there is still sugar available by the kilo packet, cakes, sweets, sugared yoghurt and have you ever checked the amount of sugar in fruit juices and smoothies?
I find the taste of any of the non sugar sweeteners, including stevia, disgusting and the artificial ones give me a dry mouth and headaches.

and no I don't think it is going to improve the health of the nation.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm unconvinced the State should be interfering with individuals' lifestyle anyway, even by applying a stick rather than demanding a change. Sure some recipes have changed but that can create protest and backlash. Folk can switch to other 'original recipe' brands. Kids will demand decent tasting stuff, adults will just sigh at another 'blooming' tax imposition. There'll probably be a small affect that supporters can point to, but the main affect is extracting more money from citizens, and some idiot citizens claiming it's self imposed/voluntary tax, as if they're being clever.

[nailit]

Was discussing this, this morning while shopping with my sister in Poundland. How would it affect them? Would they continue to sell bottles of juice or pop for £1 and just pay the extra tax on the products themselves? If so, they may have a lot more customers that would buy these products from them rather than pay the extra from stores elsewhere. Or maybe Poundland will have to stop stocking them?

[emmie]

no it won't work, the poor will still indulge and the supermarkets will go on getting richer.

[Hopkirk]

The trouble is their are health concerns about many sweeteners.

[tamaris]

Personally I am fed up being told what to eat drink etcetera .I wish the government would get on worrying about the things that are wrong in the country like the NHS and sending huge amounts of Aid ? money abroad. Stop cutting the police and services numbers. There that's better out than in. Phew.

[whiskeryron]

why not stop adding sugar to ALL food products? Those who wish to add sugar are free to do so.

[jourdain2]

Good idea Whiskery-Ron. I work on that principle when cooking regarding salt. I don't put any in, but the cellar is on the table if people want to add their own. Smiling at memory of French friends frantically practically emptying the salt pots. :)

I got fed-up long ago of being told what to eat and drink etc.. I more or less ignore everything and make my own judgements. It's worked so far.

[Togo]

Will we have one day a week, which is designated a sugar free one, here on the Answerbank.

[hereIam]

Sick to death of people telling me what I can/can't eat or drink! Dislike this tax intensely and do not think it will make the slightest difference whatsoever.

[ChillDoubt]

It’ll work, it’ll just take a generation or so to change habits.
The long term benefits will become apparent eventually, with one less problem for the NHS to deal with.

[ummmm]

You've only got to ask someone who gave up sugar in their tea and coffee to know how quickly the taste buds can change.

[Jackdaw33]

I gave up sugar in tea over 55 years ago when I was 13 because it seemed 'cool' at the time. Now I cannot drink tea which contains sugar yet I cannot drink coffee without it. Weird or what?