Budget 2018: Sugar tax will not tackle obesity – IBC

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The Irish Beverage Council has criticised the government's proposed sugar tax in Budget 2018, stating that consumption of sugary drinks has been falling for several years and that the tax will not have the desired effect.

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Read More: Budget 2018 Irish Beverage Council

The Irish Beverage Council, the Ibec group that represents soft drinks companies, has reacted negatively to the introduction of a sugar-sweetened drink tax. The council previously lobbied against the tax in its pre-budget submissions.

“We’ve been offering low-sugar drinks for 30 years,” said IBC director Colm Jordan. “We will continue to reduce sugar content and increase our no-sugar and low-sugar offerings to reflect consumer taste and choice.

“Obesity is a complex societal issue,” Jordan said. “Where similar taxes were introduced, obesity rates increased. The Department of Health’s own assessment found no conclusive evidence a tax will impact population weight. We are committed to working with government on solutions that deliver real public health benefits.

“Taxing one ingredient in some sugary drinks, but not all sugary drinks, will not combat the complex challenge of obesity,” Jordan added.

Read More: Budget 2018 Irish Beverage Council

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