Sugar tax targets obesity: Your views

In Mexico, a 10% tax on sugar-sweetened drinks led to a 6% reduction in sales.

And now the Commons Health Select Committee says a similar policy in England would help to cut sugar consumption at least in the short term.

The government has consistently been opposed to introducing such a tax, and the drinks industry say poorest families will be hit the hardest.

But Tory MP Dr Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the cross-party committee, says it could cut rates of child obesity.

Currently, one in three primary school leavers are overweight or obese.

In October, Public Health England recommended:

  • a 20% tax on sugary drinks

  • a curb on the advertising of high-sugar products to children.

  • a "rebalancing" of price promotions, away cakes and biscuits and towards healthier foods

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On social media, there has been overwhelming criticism of the idea. And this is reflected in emails received by the BBC.

Helen Attwood said: "I have had type-1 diabetes for 36 years.

"Type 1 is not linked to lifestyle choices and is an autoimmune disease.

"I have to buy sugar regularly, and sugary drinks in particular are great at treating hypo[glycemia]s - one of the issues associated with this disease.

"It doesn't seem fair that I have to pay more to treat a medical condition which I ended up with through no fault of my own. "

But there was also some cautious support for the proposed sugar tax.

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One anonymous emailer to the BBC said: "I agree something must be done.

"The school attended by my grandchildren has machines selling cans of fizzy drinks, crisps et cetera.

"It would be a good start if that stopped.

"The answer is not just banning things, it is educating young people.

"The more you ban them, the more they will want them."