Will we have to pay more for sugared drinks?
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan delivers his budget speech on Wednesday where he is widely expected to announce a controversial sugar tax
South Africans will waiting to hear if they will have to pay 20% more for sweetened fizzy drinks when Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan delivers his budget speech on Wednesday. The minister was widely expected to announce a sugar tax on fizzy drinks and cordials. Since the announcement in 2016 of the possibility of taxing sugary drinks‚ the Treasury has suggested that 100% fruit juices may also taxed. The sugar tax was suggested by Priceless‚ a division of Wits School of Public Health‚ as way to reduce the sugar South Africans consume and reduce obesity. The sugar tax debate has raged in recent months with the beverage industry issuing media releases criticising the suggestion. The Healthy Living Alliance‚ representing those in favour of the tax‚ argues the following: •Sugar consumption is a major cause of obesity and increases the risk of diabetes‚ liver and kidney damage‚ heart disease and some cancers. •Sugary drinks are particularly harmful because they are a significant source of...
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