Beverage companies producing soft drinks containing more than five grams of sugar per 100ml will pay a levy of US$ 25 cents to the UK's Treasury. If more than eight grams of sugar is served in a 100ml drink, the sugar tax increases to US$ 34 cents.
Old favourites including Original Pepsi and Coca-Cola Classic, which has around seven teaspoons of sugar in it — won't change their recipes — but they will attract the levy — so a can of Coke will increase by US$ 11 cents.
READ MORE: Dire Warning: Average 5-Year-Old in UK Eats Own Weight in Sugar Every Day
I'm sure @Tesco must be clueless about this #SugarTax taking effect on Friday. It seems that @CocaCola will be charging same prices for smaller bottles (£1.30p) & cans (£0.70p) yet you can buy a 1.5 Litre bottle for £1.30 & 1.25 Litres for £1.49. Something not adding up to me 😃 pic.twitter.com/xYl0YuWWze
— Sy Hawkes 🇬🇧 (@syhawkes) April 4, 2018
British scientists recommend #sugartax and #fattax for a better children's nutrition: https://t.co/RwtQlb19Ow pic.twitter.com/ywRtpTc8Vv
— Sabine Bonneck (@sabinebonneck) November 16, 2017
The British government had hopes the sugar tax would raise US$731 million (£520m) over the next year and cut the nation's obesity rate, however 50 percent of drinks manufacturers have changed their sugar formula, which isn't to all of their customers taste.
I am one of the people who will enjoy a glass of Coke or Pepsi only a few times a year… companies changing formulas to include more artificial sweeteners to escape the new #sugartax is more of a worry for me 👀🧐! #chemicals @VictoriaLIVE #victorialive #cocacola #pepsi
— SCOTT (@ScottOfficialUK) April 5, 2018
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates the sugar levy will raise US$337 million (£240m) after four of Britain's major supermarkets reformulated their own label drinks to avoid the sugar tax, Tesco estimates 85 percent of its drinks will be exempt from the levy.
A Co-op spokeswoman said in a statement: "The levy is designed to be passed onto customers and drive a change in consumer behavior so, for branded soft drinks that do qualify, we will pass on the cost of the levy and the VAT."
READ MORE: Norway's Drastic 'Sugar Tax' to Prove Sweet Blessing to Neighbouring Sweden
Meanwhile Christopher Snowdon of the Institute of Economic Affairs, a registered charity, says the sugar levy "is a cynical revenue raising device", and won't help cut the rate of obesity in Britain.
"The sugar levy is a cynical revenue raising device that will clobber people on low incomes," Snowdon says in a statement.
PRESS RELEASE: "Sugar taxes have not reduced obesity rates anywhere in the world — and the UK will be no different."
— IEA (@iealondon) April 5, 2018
The IEA's @cjsnowdon responds to the new sugar levy, which takes effect tomorrow: https://t.co/iSI1QuKgso
"The British public are being treated like children. Thanks to the sugar levy, several iconic brands — including Ribena, Irn-Bru and Lucozade — have effectively been discontinued…millions of people are having their choices restricted by a bossy government in thrall to the fanatical ‘public health' lobby" Snowdon said.
SORRY, but I like full fat coke, I don’t like the taste of Diet Coke, so why am I being punished by 20% increase in sugar tax!?! 😡 #sugartax #cocacola
— QueenSamantha (@2ahtnamas) April 1, 2018
@ODEONCinemas think it’s ridiculous how I have been charged 25p extra for a classic @CocaCola! I get the whole sugar thing but as an adult it should be my choice as to what drink I would like to drink regardless of how much sugar is in it! #sugartax
— Steve Lovatt (@StevenLovatt90) March 24, 2018
@RibenaUK What the hell have you done, 40 years I have had Ribena and not that Lite rubbish either. Now you give us less sugar replaced by chemicals and artificial sweeteners. Man up, if I want to pay extra because of the sugar tax that is my choice. #ribena #sugartax
— Peter Drage (@PeterDrage) March 27, 2018
@RibenaUK I’ve been drinking Ribena daily for over 50 years, and this bottle will be my last. No reformulation can mask the taste of sweeteners, I cannot drink Ribena again. It simply tastes horrible now. This is not answering consumers needs,this is simply to dodge the sugar tax
— Lesley Scott (@Regail) April 5, 2018
Coca-Cola Great Britain said in a statement: "There is no evidence from anywhere in the world that shows taxing soft drinks reduces obesity rates." The sugar tax, championed by British chef Jamie Oliver, appears to have left a nasty taste in many mouths.
READ MORE: Britain's Fat Shame: Obesity Levels Make Nation Worst in Europe