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17th March 2017
01:03pm GMT

We already know that the levy will be landing in about a year's time; Minister Michael Noonan announced in last October's budget that it was firmly in the pipeline. Public consultation on the matter has now also taken place.
What we don't know, however, is how much this tax is going to impact on our pockets.
Which is why movement across the water is of particular interest.
Addressing the British parliament last week, Chancellor Phillip Hammond said the introduction of a levy on sugary drinks is a "good thing for our children".
Much like the thinking in Leinster House, the move is part of an attempt to combat obesity in the UK.
In his budget statement, Mr Hammond said the money raised will go directly to the Department For Education to help fund school sports - a concept which has been touted on home-soil too.
Of significance is the cost to the consumer: drinks with more than 5g of sugar per 100mls will be taxed at 18p per litre. Meanwhile, beverages with more than 8g per 100mls will be slapped with a sugar tax of 24p per litre.
After the UK put concrete plans in place, HerFamily got in touch with the Department of Health for an update.
In response, a spokesperson referred us to their working paper from October 2016: it lays out proposals on how to tackle the issues of childhood and adult obesity by reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks.
They also outlined that the matter is now on the desk at the Department of Finance, which completed its public consultation in January.

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