Sugary drink tax Sugary drink tax A sugary drink tax or soda tax is a tax or surcharge designed to reduce consumption of drinks with added sugar. Drinks covered under a soda tax often include carbonated soft drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks. The tax is a matter of public debate in many countries and beverage producers like Coca-Cola often oppose it. Advocates such as national medical associations and the World Health Organization promote the tax as an example of Pigovian taxation, aimed to discourage unhealthy diets and offset the growing economic costs of obesity. Type II diabetes is a growing health concern
Scotland Food & Drink trade organisations and public sector agencies (Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise). Its launch was the first official engagement of Richard Lochhead MSP in his role as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment for the Scottish Government. Since then, the organisation has developed and launched a new strategy for the entire industry called Ambition 2030 which looks to grow the industry to a value of £30bn by 2030. Its inaugural chief executive, Paul McLaughlin, left in August 2011 to join Scotty Brand Ltd and was replaced in September 2011 by James Withers. Scotland Food & Drink is