David Cameron threatens to introduce sugar tax if industry fails to combat ‘obesity crisis’
If Cameron wants to crack down on obesity, maybe he should start a little closer to home than by taxing sugary drinks.
Forget any claims about health concerns; David Cameron wants to tax sugar so that he can subtract yet another pleasure from the lives of ordinary people.
His mantra must be: “If they like it, they should not be able to afford it.”
David Cameron has threatened to impose a sugar tax on fizzy drinks to combat Britain’s “obesity crisis” if the industry fails to introduce measures to tackle the problem.
He promised a “fully worked-up programme” later this year to cut down on the consumption of sugary drinks and food in the UK, which he said was not just causing soaring obesity rates in the UK but also contributing to heart disease, cancer and having a detrimental effect on NHS finances.
It signals that a U-turn is on the way from a Prime Minister who ruled out the prospect of a sugar tax in October, saying there were “more effective ways of tackling this issue than putting a tax on sugar”.
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about time he started tackling more important issues in this country,like the floods for example,instead of just coming with sticking plaster policies for everything.
that would be a good new name for him “sticking plaster Cameron “.
Mr Slobby more like
Interesting to try and tax ‘SUGAR FREE ‘ drinks !
Another Consideration – coming out of the last budget…he has to pay for the N.I Incentives and Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Tax cuts somehow – another indirect tax with do the job wonderfully (sic) – I wonder however what happens when the likes of Kraft (owners of Cadbury) or Nestle lobby the government – a U-Turn to save the chancellors and Prime Ministers Bourneville Bar ? Only time will tell
I think a sugar tax is a good Idea, there is way too much sugar in too many products that we eat and drink. Too much sugar can cause blindness, because the eyes are the only organ, that I know of that can’t flush out sugar. Diabetes is a terrible disease to have!!
The toothless lion roars yet he allows mc d and the likes to daily sell their wares ops
What a fine figure of a man he is, the only part that gets exercised repeatedly is his mouth. Clearly does not ride his bike any more.
This grotesque sight has put me of eating for the rest of the day.
I can hear the debate behind closed doors.
Think
It will increase revenue for bombing syria, penalise the working classes and reduce wages as this will make sure all those addicted to sugar will work for lower wages. A secondary consideration will be improve the health condition in readiness for their exploitation in the workplace and longer working hours. All this and more with one piece of legislation.
A Sodastream machine and a few bottles of cordial: my “fully worked-up” answer to Hameron’s new little stealth tax. Unlimited fizzy drinks, up yours Hameron.
Maybe the slob can lead by example and laying off the sugars.
There is an obesity crisis. Taxing sugar may be a start as there are many ways you can still enjoy some natural sugar and sweetness without the very detrimental effects caused by refined sugar.
There are massive amounts of research implicating refined sugar in causing inflammation and many diseases in the body. It also upsets the good bacteria in the gut we depend on for balance and health in the body and encourages the bad bacteria leading to disease.
David Perlmutter is probably the leader in the field but much good advice is given in the Mercola health site and GreenMedInfo.
Educating ourselves and taking responsibility for our own health is one of the most important things we can do.
A picture to be proud of, for this is the man, the very fat man who waters the workers’ beer.
I think this analysys is plainly wrong. I am no fan of Cameron and understand why you should think this is a politically motivated move. But child obesity is worryinly high and the possibility of developing Type2 diabetes in later life is high. I would like to believe that a Labour Govt would do the same. Not for policitical but health reasons. Lets see if it gets past the vested interests of the big soft drinks corporations like Coca Cola before any final conclusions are drawn.
yep no one is talking about the corporations and how they will make sure there will be no sugar tax at the end of the day
“subtract yet another pleasure from the lives of ordinary people”
but that will hurt the corporations Mike? do you really think he will hurt his mates?
Well said!
Surely not. Find an easy target, forgive paedophiles, let the rich abuse and kill our children for their own satisfaction, and cause unnecessary wars, for the sake of themselves and their own lasciviousness and perpetual greed .
@roybeiley
I’m Type 2, the consequence of a stroke that disrupted my entire system. I do enjoy my fizzy drinks, but I make my own using “no added sugar” cordials. However artificial sweeteners have their disadvantages, especially as their harmful side-effects are suppressed by the corporations that make them.
Sorry to hear of your Type 2 problems. Fizzy drinks only seem to be carbonated water mixed with syrup. In Spain I came across bottled Watermelon juice which a still drink containing no added things. I am sure that something like this could be easily carbonated and provide a safe drink. Worth sourcing whether something like that is available in UK Best wishes.
“so that he can subtract yet another pleasure from the lives of ordinary people”
but your forget the sugar industry OWN him remember? he wont tax sugar even if he wanted to (hint he does not)
“If they like it, they should not be able to afford it.”
“and if you get in the way of profit, we will make you pay” – the industry
he may hate ordinary people but money speaks and the his mates need ordinary people to keep buying there products. so it he make it unaffordable it will hurt his corporate overlords who are not very happy with this idea already :)
What happened with tobacco?
it became e cigarettes because even if there is a tax they will find a way not to pay it
Tobacco was taxed even though the tobacco lobbyists had a very loud voice in Parliament. As for e-cigs – they’re still very new but already serious safety concerns have been raised.
and was it not Labour who bring in the tax for tobacco?
Your point being?
Look how long that took but young people still take up smoking becase it is cool. Tobacco Companies now targe 3rd World countries
Is it cool to be fat and or have sugar-related health issues?