SCOTLAND could lead the way in tackling obesity by introducing a tax on sugary drinks, according to a leading health expert.

 

Professor Simon Capewell claims taxing soft drinks such as colas and lemonades, and the nation's favourite Irn Bru, is central to tackling the obesity problem costing the Scottish economy up to £4.6 billion a year.

The Epidemiology expert claims the Scottish Government has an "excellent track record" of leading the way on public health issues and could champion the fight against obesity by introducing such a tax.

However, the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) argues that the case for introducing a tax on sugary drinks is "not compelling".

Professor Capewell, chair of Clinical Epidemiology, Public Health and Policy at the University of Liverpool, said: "The successful introduction of sugar taxes in countries as diverse as Finland, France, Hungary, Latvia, the USA, and Mexico have shown how effective a measure they can be in reducing consumption.

"Furthermore, the revenues raised can then be invested back into initiatives to increase children's health in these countries, as is happening in Mexico.

"It is now time to move forward on introducing a tax on sugary drinks in the UK as a central component of preventing the continuing escalation of obesity and spiralling healthcare costs."

Speaking at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh conference, 'Obesity - a 21st Century Epidemic?', he added: "Scotland has an excellent track record in addressing public health issues.

"Notable achievements include smoke-free public places and proposals for minimum unit pricing for alcohol. We need to explore how these developments could be repeated with sugary drinks.

"The medical profession has learned valuable lessons from two centuries of public health successes and it is clear that a duty on sugary drinks can play a vital role."

Recent figures show that one in three adults in Scotland are thought to be obese, while one in three children are also at risk.

A report by Holyrood researchers also revealed that overweight Scots cost the economy £145 every second and drain the NHS of up to £600 million annually.

Professor Derek Bell, president of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, agreed that food and drink taxes are an "important part of the discussion on obesity and public health".

He added: "We know that the causes and treatment of obesity are varied and complex, meaning a simple answer to the problem does not exist.

"What is clear, however, is that a comprehensive and collaborative approach is required to tackle all the elements in the longer term."

Professor Bell also revealed that the college recently backed the Responsible Retailing of Energy Drinks (RRED) campaign, which led to Edinburgh City Council removing energy drinks - many of which have high sugar content - from its leisure centres.

However, according to Gavin Partington, BSDA Director General, recent studies have shown that a 20 per cent tax on soft drinks in the UK would lead to people consuming just four calories less per day.

He added: "The efforts by soft drinks companies including product reformulation, smaller pack sizes and increased promotion of low and no calorie drinks have led to a seven per cent reduction in calories from soft drinks in the last three years.

"It's also worth noting that politicians in Belgium and Denmark rejected the notion of a tax in 2013 and the experience in France shows that while sales of soft drinks initially fell after a tax was introduced in 2012 they have increased since."

While the creation of new taxes is broadly reserved to Westminster, the Scotland Act 2012 gives the Scottish Parliament the power to create new taxes, subject to the approval of the UK Parliament.

A Scottish Government spokesman said ministers will "consider the evidence around the effect of food taxes in helping to improve dietary choices".

He added: "We need to be certain that the impacts on our health are positive without increasing inequalities or adversely affecting the Scottish food and drink industry.

"We are already taking action in a range of ways to improve diet and reduce obesity.

"The Scottish Government has invested £10m over a four year period on projects to encourage healthy eating, from community food initiatives in deprived areas to the Healthyliving Award on the high street."