As PM, Johnson vows to launch review of 'sin taxes'

[snoop1130]

As PM, Johnson vows to launch review of 'sin taxes'

 

Boris Johnson, a leadership candidate for Britain's Conservative Party, speaks during a hustings event in Belfast, Northern Ireland, July 2, 2019. AP Photo/Peter Morrison/Pool via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Boris Johnson, frontrunner to become Britain’s next prime minister, will launch a review into the so-called sin taxes on products high in salt, fat and sugar if he wins the contest for leader, he will say on Wednesday.

 

Britain’s sugar tax on soft drinks came into force in April in an effort to tackle childhood obesity, and some officials are toying with the idea of putting levies on products with high salt and fat content to boost the strategy.

 

With Johnson, a former London mayor, and foreign minister Jeremy Hunt stepping up their campaigns to replace Theresa May, both have turned their attention to how they would run a country that is deeply divided after its 2016 EU referendum.

 

Johnson, who has vowed to take Britain out of the European Union on Oct. 31 with or without a withdrawal deal to smooth the transition, will say the “comprehensive review” would look into whether or not the so-called sin taxes “unfairly hit those on lower incomes”.

 

He will also say that as prime minister, he would not raise any of the taxes or introduce any new ones until the review was completed, adding that people should be encouraged to be healthy and exercise to lose weight rather than being taxed more.

 

“Once we leave the EU on 31 October, we will have a historic opportunity to change the way politics is done in this country,” he will say, according to excerpts from his team. “A good way to start would be basing tax policy on clear evidence.” 

 

Last month, an independent panel advising the World Health Organization (WHO) stopped short of recommending taxing sugary drinks after failing to reach a consensus.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-07-03

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[DNPBC0]

Is there anything this monster would not do to gain his election as leader of the Tory party?

[KittenKong]

3 minutes ago, DNPBC0 said:

Is there anything this monster would not do to gain his election as leader of the Tory party?

Do you think he is significantly more monstrous than anyone currently leading or wanting to lead any political party?

[Pilotman]

what a retrograde step that would be.  It may be popular among some in the population. but leaders are supposed to lead, not just please the great unwashed. Looks like he has sinned quite a bit, so maybe it's Just the usual politician's self interest. 

[Emdog]

I was hoping taxes on 7 deadly sins might be on the table:

Lust Gluttony Greed Sloth Wrath Envy Pride

I reckon political parties paying taxes on these essential features of their operations could lead to massive tax cuts to general populace and boom times for economy

[geoffbezoz]

13 hours ago, DNPBC0 said:

Is there anything this monster would not do to gain his election as leader of the Tory party?

Yes, tell the truth, a no no in his book

[JonnyF]

I have no issue with this. People should take responsibility for their own lives, not have some nanny state dictating to them. Treat people like kids and they will act as kids. I favour smaller government in pretty much every aspect of daily life.

 

Why should I have to pay tax on something I drink maybe once a month because little Timmy's mother is incapable of telling him to put down the iPad and the Fanta/crisps and go and play football in the park with his mates?

 

Education is they key, not tax on sugar.

[BobBKK]

So they won't be taxing vibrators anymore?

[arithai12]

Now that's what I call pointing, take note Thailand.

[arithai12]

12 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

So they won't be taxing vibrators anymore?

Only those with sugar on the tip.

[evadgib]

Not everyone will agree but the UK's best hope is some sort of co-operation between BJ and Farage as raised on Peston last night. The full interview isn't yet available but here's a clip:

 

[Ulic]

15 hours ago, DNPBC0 said:

Is there anything this monster would not do to gain his election as leader of the Tory party?

So you are saying that he is a run-of-the-mill politician. No different than any other politician. 

[Pilotman]

7 minutes ago, Ulic said:

So you are saying that he is a run-of-the-mill politician. No different than any other politician. 

well he is an arrogant, self absorbed, hypocritical, pompous, entitled individual, with no real principles, apart from his own self interest, so that sounds like a normal politician to me. 

[Guest Jerry787]

coca cola sponsoring his campaign .

shame for any one who will vote him, sugar drinks are the first cause of obesity and diabete, therefore or ban sugar drinks or heavily tax them at least to support the health cost of the pathologies caused by sugar drinks.

[dick dasterdly]

8 minutes ago, Jerry787 said:

coca cola sponsoring his campaign .

shame for any one who will vote him, sugar drinks are the first cause of obesity and diabete, therefore or ban sugar drinks or heavily tax them at least to support the health cost of the pathologies caused by sugar drinks.

The first para. should be deleted as a failed joke posted as a 'fact'.

 

Much as I hate 'nanny state laws'  - I  agree agree with taxing food and drinks heavily loaded with sugar.

 

Most consumers know that various brands contain one hell of a lot of sugar, but they aren't so aware of the sugar content in other chain store drinks?

 

 

[puck2]

Quote

Boris Johnson, frontrunner to become Britain’s next prime minister, will launch a review into the so-called sin taxes on products high in salt, fat and sugar if he wins the contest for leader, he will say on Wednesday.

 

Before I had read this article I thought Trump would be the biggest political imbecile. Maybe I have to revue my opinion.

Edited July 4, 2019 by puck2

[JonnyF]

15 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

The first para. should be deleted as a failed joke posted as a 'fact'.

 

Much as I hate 'nanny state laws'  - I  agree agree with taxing food and drinks heavily loaded with sugar.

 

Most consumers know that various brands contain one hell of a lot of sugar, but they aren't so aware of the sugar content in other chain store drinks?

 

 

Maybe a huge label on the packaging would make things easier. Simply increasing the price only tells people it's expensive, they still won't know the sugar content unless they make the effort to look at the ingredient declaration.

 

Sin taxes tend to be an easy way of making revenue because you can always pretend you are doing it for the good of the people.

[Mac98]

So a regular Coke is sold for around $2 but Coke Zero is $1.50 without the tax? Or is the state now taxing all soft drinks, sugary or not?