October 27, 2017.
In France, 15% of the population is obese. To fight effectively against this scourge, the deputies voted for a law which aims to once again tax sodas. The sweeter the drink, the more taxed it will be.
A new tax to fight obesity
Sugary drinks are responsible for many cases of obesity and overweight around the world. To reduce this risk, especially among children, the deputies have just adopted a text which sets up a new tax on sodas: taxation will be triggered from 1 gram of sugar per 100 ml. This amendment was passed as part of the review of the Social Security financing bill.
Currently, all drinks containing added sugars are taxed at € 7.53 per hectoliters. A formula that was not restrictive enough according to the legislator. With this new amendment, the tax will drop to around twenty euros per hectolitre. The Minister of Health, Agnès Buzyn, welcomed the adoption of this new tax and declared to share “ fully »The objective of this amendment.
15% to 27% of added sugars come from sugary drinks
And to recall that this measure ” not aimed at making money “But that it is a” simple reformulation of a tax to make it more efficient “. The general rapporteur of the bill, Olivier Véran (LREM, ex-PS), was also very satisfied with the adoption of this text. According to him, a recent INRA study showed that “ 15 to 27% of added sugars come from sugary drinks “.
” Excessive consumers of these sugars must reduce their consumption of sugary drinks by 66% to meet the nutritional recommendations of the World Health Organization “, he added. Of course, this recommendation does not apply to fruit juices. Consuming excess sugar is dangerous for your health. This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis or even certain cancers.
Marine Rondot
Read also 8 good reasons to give up sodas
