We face a health epidemic in the form of obesity and diabetes. There are many possible reasons for this problem, but one that most agree on is our high consumption of sugar-laden soft drinks. Our health problems demand solutions due to a combination of inadequate physical exercise, poor diets that are high in fat and salt, as well as high rates of smoking.
One such solution will be the introduction of taxes that aim to cut consumption of fizzy drinks, caffeine-heavy energy drinks and tobacco. Under the new tax scheme, energy drinks will be subject to an excise tax of 100 per cent and soft drinks will become 50 per cent more expensive. According to Government estimates, these taxes could significantly reduce diabetes rate in the next five years. Countries around the world have implemented similar measures with positive results. When it comes to improving general health, sometimes tax can be a good thing.