Report predicts 4 million would avoid obesity with sugar tax

A report has predicted that 3.7 million people in the UK could avoid obesity in the next ten years, if a tax on sugary drinks is introduced.
Cancer Research UK and the UK Health Forum, who are two of the biggest medical charities in the UK, produced the report together. It predicts that £10m a year could be saved off the bill of the NHS by 2025, as well as improving the health of the nation.
By then, obesity rates could be reduced by 5 per cent, the charities calculated, if a sugar tax is introduced. Obesity can increase the risk of developing health problems such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
According to the research, statistics suggest that people would consume 15 fewer calories each day than they do now, and also that the number of cans of fizzy drinks consumed would be reduced by 16 per cent.
“The government has a chance to help reduce the amount of sugar consumed by adults and children and to give future generations the best chance of a healthier life,” said Alison Cox, of Cancer Research.
As well as pushing for a tax on sugary drinks, Cancer Research also wants a ban on junk food adverts being shown before 9pm. According to a poll the charity carried out recently, this idea was supported by 75 per cent of adults who responded.
The campaign for a sugar tax to be introduced to improve our diets also has a number of high-profile campaigners, such as Jamie Oliver, the celebrity chef.