The AVA has teamed up with influential associations and trade bodies from across the soft drinks supply chain to form a coalition against the Government’s proposed sugar tax.
The coalition’s ‘Face the Facts: Can the tax’ campaign seeks to highlight the drawbacks of the proposed levy, dubbed ‘the sugar tax’, including job losses and a significant decrease in the soft drinks industry’s contribution to GDP.
The campaign will also put pressure on the Government to reconsider the plans, which were first announced by the former Chancellor in the Budget earlier this year.
The AVA has repeatedly voiced its concerns regarding the tax proposals for soft drinks and the effects that such a levy could have on its members and the wider public, arguing that nutritional education and improved product labeling must be prioritised over taxation policies.
Jonathan Hart
Earlier this year, the AVA’s chief executive Jonathan Hart, wrote to several national newspapers and the former Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt MP, to voice his opposition to the plans. The vending association’s participation in the new campaign is a continuation of its efforts to speak out against the tax in the hopes that the government will reconsider.
Jonathan commented: “Recent improvements in product labeling have already helped consumers control their calorie and sugar intake more effectively than before. We believe further transparency on product labeling and increased education on nutrition will achieve results which are long-lasting and effective – unlike a sugar tax, which would have serious negative consequences for the businesses of many of our members.”
OPERATORS: where do you stand on the sugar tax? Would the introduction of a sugar tax make your business suffer? Would you lose customers? Have you already addressed the issue by choosing ‘healthier’ products? Planet Vending would like to know. Call Ian Reynolds-Young on 07435 561052 to share your views with our readers.
