Brighton Council has become the first city to launch an attack on excess sugar consumption.

Brighton Council Sugar tax plans announced in the Argus

The council is proposing a 10% tax on sugary drinks that are sold at council run establishments such as park cafes and leisure centres. Inspired and backed by Jamie Oliver's campaign against sugar, the council are looking for restaurants and cafes to voluntarily tax their sugary drinks. Brighton Council are then looking to 'roll out' the tax across the city.

I am against this 'initiative' because:

1. Brighton and Hove is again being used as a testing ground for bans and restrictions in an attempt to change behaviour.
   
   
2. Historically, these bans and restrictions have proved both costly, confusing and ineffective. Previous bans include:

• The 'Booze Bans' of 2010 (the booze free zones that were proposed were never enforced and the public still drinks in parks when it wants to).
• The 20 mph speed limit that no-one takes any notice of and is not  enforced.

3. The effect on health of excess sugar consumption is far from certain. The role it plays in obesity rates in children (that are falling by approximately 1.73% per year) has not been established. There has already been a 'backlash' against the attack on excess sugar from several quarters including the  medical profession itself.

4. The tax on sugar is both deeply patronising and an affront to the right to decide for ourselves what we and our children consume. These attacks on foodstuffs cause unnecessary worry and confusion about what we should  and should  not eat.