The United Kingdom on Friday became the latest country to join a growing list of countries that have enacted ‘sugar tax’ laws on sweetened beverages as a way to fight obesity among children which is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases later in life such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes among others.
The UK is said to have the highest level of obesity in Western Europe.
South Africa’s proposal to tax sugar sweetened beverages which was first announced in 2016 finally came into effect on Sunday 1st April 2018.
The new sugar tax called the ‘Sugary Beverages Levy” and a part of the “Health Promotion Levy” is set at 2.1 cents per gram of sugar content that exceeds 4g per 100ml. According to the new law, the first 4g per 100ml are levy free.
“Sugar” refers to intrinsic and added sugar and other sweetening matter. However, fruit juice is exempt.
The UK government on Thursday unveiled its plan for a sugar tax on sweetened beverages as it seeks consultations from stakeholders.
The Soft Drinks Industry levy as it would be known seeks to tackle childhood obesity. It was first announced in March as part of the 2016 budget and will come into effect in April 2018.
