Britain's surprise decision to introduce a sugar tax on soft drinks has been hailed as a game-changer by a veteran Kiwi anti-sugar lobbyist.
The British government unexpectedly announced in Wednesday's Budget that it would introduce the tax from 2018.
"The UK tax is a game-changer – the evidence is clear for the UK situation, so surely it must be clear for New Zealand," said Dental Association spokesman Rob Beaglehole, who has long campaigned for legal sanctions against sugary drinks.
"Both our countries suffer the same diseases related to sugar: tooth decay, obesity and type 2 diabetes. In fact, here our rates are worse."
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has previously ruled out a sugar tax, and said on Thursday that Britain's move had not changed the Government's stance.
Source: www.stuff.co.nz