article_snippet: Thousands of cases of diabetes and cancer could be avoided, saving the NHS £300million, by putting a health tax of 12p a can on sugary drinks, the NHS £300million is claimed.
article_snippet: Academics have calculated the likely reduction in consumption caused by putting up the price of full sugar drinks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi and the resulting health benefits.
article_snippet: The work by experts at the University of Liverpool and the Children’s Food Campaign will fuel the growing campaign to extend the principle of a duty on unhealthy products from cigarettes and alcohol to some types of drink and food.
article_snippet: Academics have calculated the likely reduction in consumption caused by putting up the price of full sugar drinks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi and the resulting health benefits .
article_snippet: However, the drinks industry have challenged the figures, insisting a sugary drinks tax will only hit the poorest in society with higher living costs while doing nothing to improve the figures health.
article_snippet: The Liverpool team calculates that a tax of 20p per litre – 12p per can – would reduce the number of cases of diabetes by just under 50,000 over 20 years.
article_snippet: Malcolm Clark, co-ordinator of the Children’s Food Campaign, said a 20p per litre sugary drinks duty would save lives and money across England .
article_snippet: Soft drinks are the largest single source of sugar for children aged 4-10 years and teenagers, consequently any new levy would particularly hit consumption among this group.
article_snippet: The campaign for a sugary drinks duty is supported by over 60 organisations, including public health and medical professional bodies, dentists, children’s charities, Action on Sugar and school food experts.
article_snippet: Malcolm Clark, co-ordinator of the Children’s Food Campaign, said: ‘Current taxes on foods are a mess, and don’t support people choosing healthier options.
article_snippet: ‘A 20p per litre sugary drinks duty would save lives and money across England, and ease the pressure on NHS services locally.
article_snippet: ’ Public health directors in North West England and in Cardiff, as well as the London Health Commission, have publicly backed a sugary drinks duty.
article_snippet: Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association’s scientific adviser, said: ‘A tax on sugary drinks and food is a no brainer.
article_snippet: Robin Ireland, the director of Food Active, which is supported by Directors of Public Health in the north west of England, said: ‘Just as extra taxes on cigarettes have helped to change purchasing habits and reduce smoking, adding 20p per litre onto the price of sugary drinks would encourage people to consume less and lead to improvements in quality of life.
article_snippet: We want to see the next Government introduce a sugary drinks duty without delay.
article_snippet: Since there is no spare money in the NHS, we are calling for a duty on sugary drinks, which will itself reduce diabetes and obesity.
article_snippet: ‘A tax on soft drinks would adversely impact the poorest in society while doing nothing to curb obesity.
highlights_snippet: Experts believe there should be a 12p tax cans of sugary drinks like Pepsi .
  