No sugaring the pill – these taxes are inevitable

ALMOST a third of Irish children are now overweight. The brutal truth is that one-in-three of the nation’s children is facing increased risk of serious health issues and premature death because of food and lifestyle choices. We are also set to be Europe’s most obese nation by 2030. Such is the background against which the new sugar tax must be judged.

Health groups are pretty sure the tax is overdue. According to the Irish Heart Foundation, its introduction marks the “most important day yet in the fight against childhood obesity”.

It represents a firm commitment by the State that it takes the health of our children seriously and, as such, must be welcomed. But it is just one step, and given that we are so far behind, several more will be required before we will see any reversal in obesity rates in children.

The targeting of young children by junk food firms needs to dealt with. There is also a serious social imbalance in the dependency of low-income families on fatty foods, which are invariably cheaper. Therefore, accessibility to healthy food within disadvantaged areas must be prioritised. However, there is little appetite for a nanny state – ideally such taxes ought not be necessary.

There are reassuring indications that many manufacturers are getting the message and seeking new ways to cut down on calories, but progress has been slow and begrudging. Until we deal with the risks, such taxes are inevitable.