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Poll: Sugar tax - what do you think?

Do you support a sugar tax?

  • Yes: absolutely

  • Yes: depends on how much tax is added though

  • No: we don't need a sugar tax but better labelling about sugar content would be great

  • No: things are fine the way they are

  • I'm not sure

  • No: there should be a carb tax

  • No: Government needs to get manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their foods

  • No: there needs to be better education

Results are only viewable after voting.

Well, that is challenging!


Thank you for sharing those stats. Very interesting read.

Squire Fulwood said:
While we are off topic and writing about cancer instead of the sugar tax may I ask a question?

Would it be a shorter list and a whole lot quicker if we were all given a list of things that don't cause cancer?

Perhaps the Daily Fail could help here.
Click to expand...

It would most likely make front page of the Daily Express, too
 

1696 Window tax anyone..??! We are inching towards a tax on the air we breath...
 

Why not impose the tax on the sugar industry, penalize them on pretax profit? They make millions! The money could be directed on education of the Diabetes and help with the rising cost of the treatment. Top Chef's are already showing how to cook more healthily with the same fabulous taste. The USA is taking the issue seriously as the country is starting to spend millions on combating the weight of its citizens. We won't be far behind if the government choose to ignore it. The NHS is at stretching point already.
 
I don't have a problem with a sugar tax but it should be up to individuals taste. However, I DO have a problem with artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes and the way manufacturers add them 'willy-nilly' to our drinks and food products. If a sugar tax is introduced then sugar will be replaced with these sweeteners and substitutes to get around the tax. Aspartame and acesulfame k cause terrific, painful spasms in my stomach and gut. How many people get this and wonder what causes it? When I was first diagnosed with T2, I immediately cut out all sugar. Yes, it was difficult at first but after a while I could actually taste what I was eating and drinking. My family took it on-board which helped a great deal.
Sugar tax? NO! Let people decide for themselves.
 
I don't need another tax on food, and its about time that people stop telling me what I can or Cant do or have...
 
Why is it that if something is perceived to be "bad" then we tax it!? Sugar is a basic food ingredient the appropriate use of which needs to be taught through education, not the usual finger wagging nanny state approach. I do however agree with putting a tax on manufactured / processed food and drinks, to encourage the manufacturers to put healthier options / ingredients in their products.
 
NoCrbs4Me said:
Wait, what?!?
Click to expand...
Why is it that beards are always seen as the aberration? I quote; "mad hipster beards." it is shaving that is weird - why would you ritually emasculate yourself every morning? Beards are natural - shaving is a modern aberration, made "normal" by the militarisation of society by two wars from which we still seem to have a problem moving on. However we live in a free society so face fungus is a personal choice - get over it!
 
We do already have a tax on certain foods - VAT, which at the standard rate is 20%. I suspect that if the government wanted to, it could apply VAT at whatever rate it wanted to, to all foods containing sugars, and to sugar itself. I'd like to see taxation on foods used not just to nudge us towards less purchasing of sugar foods, but away from all processed foods, so that fresh foods really become the cheapest option. But I somehow can't see that happening!
 

It is because beards are vile food sieves. And very abrasive.

Well, maybe not all of them.
But the ones I have got up close and personal with have fitted that description. I am happy to accept that not all beards are like this, but my (admittedly small) sample has been consistent in its findings.
 
I am uncertain about sugar tax but VAT added to all foods with high sugar such as biscuits and sweets, maybe other foods should be included like sweetened breads as favoured by the fastfood industry (One of the prime causes by making fatty suggary foods cheap and accessable). maybe some foods need to become more expensive to support the healthier foods allowing them to be made cheaper.
I know convenience foods are more prevalent and relatively cheap many of these need looking at to improve the recipes and reduce both fat and sugar that is added, much oriental and Indian food is guilty here.
 
Putting a tax on sugar is just another way of getting money from people who can't afford it. The frirst thing would be to restrict the amount of suger used in the production of foods. Education would also be the answer.
 
I live in the U.S. so I can only speak to what I see around here. I'll share a few observations that seem to be working:

-Soda/sugar tax- they've tried to implement something like this on several occasions. Each case eventually failed.
You have to remember that the soda industry is actually DECLINING. Oddly enough, only the energy drink market is expanding.

-Someone jokingly mentioned the cell phone law. Most major cities here in the U.S. have "hands free" laws that ban the use of cell phones while driving. Theres also a big marketing push to remind people of the dangers of driving and using a cell phone. In my experience, the combination of both has been a resounding success. Yes, there are still people that text and drive, but the number is far fewer.

-Our laws that require restaurants to post their nutrition facts have been a tremendous success. It may not require macronutrient (carbs, protein, fat) info, but the calorie count alone has helped many people.

-While obesity is certainly still an epidemic, we are experiencing a considerable cultural revolution in regards to health. Fast food restaurants like McDonalds are really struggling to make a profit right now as more people prefer healthier options.

My opinion: education rather than regulation is the most effective method. We like to feel like we are making these decisions for ourselves rather than our government deciding for us. More people are starting to realize that a salad isn't necessarily a healthy option when you dump 2000 carlories on top of it. They're also starting to realize that dietary fats have little correlation to body fat, and carbohydrate (and ultimately calories) management is key.
 
Each of us is responsible for what we eat and how much. It's up to us to make choices on facts. Wise up. We are all in charge of the knives and forks and spoons and what we put in our mouth or pour down our gullet. Teach younger family members as well.
 
I do not think we need more tax but companie should be made to reduce the sugars they put into their products. They should also realise that adding extra sweetness through the use of sweetners is not a healthy option either.
 
kcbones said:
I do not think we need more tax but companie should be made to reduce the sugars they put into their products. They should also realise that adding extra sweetness through the use of sweetners is not a healthy option either.
Click to expand...

It's interesting, in hindsight, how manufacturers aren't being requested to produce lower sugar goods, but instead people are being taxed. Similar to bailing out the banks rather than the people?
 
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