- 1) By Professor Jason Halford, Professor of Experimental Psychology at the University of Liverpool and Chairman of the Association for the Study of Obesity
“With over 30% of children and 70% of adults in the UK either overweight or obese action is clearly needed and we dramatically need to reformulate our diet if we are to challenge these current levels.
Reducing the levels of fat and sugar in the diet could be an effective means of reducing energy intake so this tax represents one potential tool to achieve this.”
“However, any tax on its own cannot reverse the obesity problem, but as part of a comprehensive package, including effective limitation on food promotion to children, and increasing the range and affordability of health options it might be able to start to turn the problem around.”
“The responsibility deal has yielded some commitments from industry (yet to be enacted), the deal does not include all of the food industry, and it cannot replace a comprehensive Governmental led policy approach.”
- 2) By Professor Simon Capewell, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Liverpool
“The proposition by this report that the £1billion raised from a UK duty on sugary drinks should be ring-fenced for a ‘Children’s Future Fund’ to spend on programmes to improve children’s health and future well-being represents a sensible option.”