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Parliamentary question - E-002823/2017Parliamentary question
E-002823/2017

Taxes on sugar and unhealthy products

Question for written answer E-002823-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Javi López (S&D)

Unhealthy lifestyle habits are the cause of thousands of deaths every year. Diabetes alone was the cause of one and a half million deaths in 2012. Similarly, obesity is increasing, particularly among young people, driven by the consumption of sweets, fizzy drinks or ready-made meals.

Consumer groups have carried out studies on the sugar content in some foods, and have concluded that some types of biscuits and soft drinks sometimes contain between 75% and 94% sugar.

Rolling out a tobacco tax lead to a drop in its consumption and contributed to preventing cardio-pulmonary diseases. In the light of the above, does the Commission believe that a tax on sugary drinks would reduce their consumption rates? What measures is the Commission taking to discourage the consumption and marketing of food with little nutritional value which is highly harmful to health? What is the Commission’s view on children’s access to those products?