British Soft Drinks Association: Tax won't tackle obesity
The director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, Gavin Partington, has said his industry is already taking steps to help tackle obesity and that a tax on sugary drink won't help:
Obesity is a serious and complex problem, but a tax on soft drinks, which contribute just 2% of the total calories in the average diet, will not help address it.
Over the last 10 years, the consumption of soft drinks containing added sugar has fallen by 9% while the incidence of obesity has increased by 15%.
We all recognise our industry has a role to play in the fight against obesity, which is why soft drinks companies have already taken action to ensure they are playing their part.
– Gavin Partington, British Soft Drinks AssociationSixty-one per cent of soft drinks now contain no added sugar and we have seen soft drinks companies lead the way in committing to further, voluntary action as part of the Government's Responsibility Deal Calorie Reduction Pledge.
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