The sugar tax has come into effect – here’s what it will mean for you

The controversial sugar tax finally has finally come into effect.

From today, Irish consumers will pay more in shops for certain sugary items. But what is effected and why has the tax been brought in? The tax applies to drinks with more than 5g of sugar per 100ml. Drinks with between 5g and 8g of sugar per 100ml will be taxed an extra 20c per litre, while drinks with more than 8g sugar per 100ml will be taxed an extra 30c per litre. It means you'll see a difference in the price of many fizzy drinks, sports and energy drinks and some flavoured waters. The price of a two litre bottle of a sugary fizzy drink, for example, will go up by either 40c or 60c today depending on its sugar content. Pure fruit juices and dairy-based drinks have escaped the levy and so will not cost any more than they did previously. Alcoholic drinks, while are often laden with sugar, are also exempt. It's hoped that the sugar tax will go some way to tackling Ireland's obesity epidemic. Almost two thirds of Irish adults (60 per cent) and 20 per cent of Irish children are overweight or obese, according to the HSE. "Similar taxes on sugar sweetened drinks introduced in other countries such as Mexico, France and Hungary have demonstrated an impact by reducing the consumption and sales of sugar sweetened drinks," Professor Donal O’Shea, of the HSE's clinical lead obesity management team. "Positively, even before Ireland’s sugar tax has been fully introduced, it seems to be having an effect with producers reformulating their products, providing consumers with options that have less added sugar or offering products in smaller portion sizes." The tax has been welcomed by a number of groups including the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society.

The Irish Cancer Society welcomes the sugar sweetened drinks tax which comes into effect today. This new measure will help reduce sugar consumption and will tackle overweight and obesity levels in Ireland which are responsible for almost 1 in 20 cancers in Ireland #sugartax

— Irish Cancer Society (@IrishCancerSoc) May 1, 2018