Sugar tax plans get the go ahead

Thursday, 15 December 2016 00:00

Politicians on the Isle of Man have voted in favour of bringing in a sugar tax.

This week Tynwald agreed to support the principle of taxing soft drinks which have a high sugar content in order to raise government revenue.

It was an idea brought forward by Rushen MHK Juan Watterson who says our nation is facing an 'obesity epidemic':

Statistics show there are 15,500 obese adults and 11,000 morbidly obese adults on the Island.

Mr Watterson said the tax would be 'neither simple nor popular' but believes change is needed:

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