05/03/2014

England To Introduce 'Sugar Tax'

The chief medical officer for England has warned that a "sugar tax" may be needed to tackle obesity problems, which are becoming normal for citizens.

Professor Dame Sally Davies said the Government should intervene to tackle obesity by regulating the food and drinks industry to protect against the dangers of the excess of calories.

She said that she believed "research will find sugar is addictive", and that "we may need to introduce a sugar tax" while the food industry said it was working on reducing sugar in products.

Talking about children, Davies told the Health Select Committee: "We have a generation of children who, because they're overweight and their lack of activity, may well not live as long as my generation."

Earlier this year doctors called for a soft drinks tax to reduce sugar intake.

(CVS/CD)

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